Patrick John Flueger has played Adam Ruzek on the NBC series since 2014
Credit: Lori Allen/NBC via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- The latest One Chicago crossover, featuring the casts of Chicago Fire, Chicago Med and Chicago P.D., aired on March 4
- Patrick John Flueger, who plays Adam Ruzek on Chicago P.D., was not part of the TV event
- The actor took a leave of absence from the show, but was later spotted on set
The latest One Chicago crossover — featuring the cast and characters from Chicago Fire, Chicago Med and Chicago P.D. — happened on March 4, but there was one notable star missing from the evening-long event.
Patrick John Flueger, who plays Officer Adam Ruzek on Chicago P.D. was absent from the action, while Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos, two actors who previously left the show, made a return for the intense case involving a mass-casualty incident.
"Every season, the first thing we talk about is how do we top the last one?" Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman told PEOPLE in March 2026. "It's always a question of how do you top it in terms of the action, but also the character stuff."
So, why wasn't Ruzek in the One Chicago crossover? Here's everything to know about the reason Patrick John Flueger's character wasn't seen in the three-part TV event — and when he'll be returning.
Why wasn’t Ruzek in the One Chicago crossover?
Credit: Lori Allen/NBC via Getty
Ruzek was missing from the One Chicago crossover on March 4 because Flueger took a leave of absence from the show.
Flueger's time away was explained in season 13, episode 9, "Heroes," when it was revealed that Ruzek was stepping away from the police department to help his father, "Disco Bob" Ruzek (Jack Coleman), who has Alzheimer's.
Flueger wasn't a part of the 2026 One Chicago crossover, but he has been involved in previous ones, like the 2025 special, which he described as more "character driven" than others.
"I think if we’re going to come back out of the gate with a three-part crossover, we did pretty well this time as far as just leaning into the characters," the actor told TV Insider in January 2025. "Leaning into the relationships, leaning into the fact that these people do work in a city where they bump into each other pretty consistently."
When did Patrick John Flueger step away from Chicago P.D.?
Credit: Elizabeth Sisson/NBC via Getty
In October 2025, Flueger took a sudden leave of absence from the filming of Chicago P.D.
Flueger isn't the first One Chicago actor to step away from the franchise's production. Previously, Taylor Kinney, who stars in Chicago Fire, took a leave of absence in January 2023. He later returned that fall for season 12.
Why did Patrick John Flueger take a leave of absence from Chicago P.D.?
Credit: Lori Allen/NBC via Getty
Flueger took a leave of absence due to a personal matter. No further details have been provided.
Deadline was the first to report the news, noting that the actor's departure was a surprise, and scripts for the upcoming episodes had to be rewritten.
Flueger has played Ruzek since Chicago P.D. premiered in January 2014. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in October 2024, he looked back at playing the character for over a decade.
"Not to toot my own horn, but I think my character has grown and changed the most out of any other character," the actor told the outlet.
He continued, "Patrick Flueger has grown up a lot since we started this show; I hope he has. And Adam Ruzek has grown up kind of adjacent to me growing up. And it’s been cool. I think it helped me grow up, being this guy, sometimes."
Is Patrick John Flueger returning to Chicago P.D.?
Credit: Marina Squerciati/Instagram
Despite sitting out the One Chicago crossover, Flueger is returning to Chicago P.D. this season.
The actor appeared in the post-crossover promo teasing the March 11 episode, called "Meant to Be."
Flueger was first spotted back on set in December 2025, less than two months after his leave of absence was announced. In an Instagram post, Marina Squerciati, whose character, Detective Kim Burgess, is married to Ruzek, shared a picture of birthday celebrations for Flueger on set of the series.
Flueger also posted the same image and a video of the celebration, with the caption, "Fantastic Cast, Crew & Fans!!! Incredible Girl, Family & Friends!!!! Gratitude is a daily goal. A task made easy… by the people in my life 🙂 Thank you Y’all 🙏🏼."
Chicago P.D. airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
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