What's Happening with Ruzek? Patrick John Flueger Takes Chicago P.D. Leave

Your favorite Intelligence detective, Adam Ruzek, is temporarily stepping away from Chicago P.D. for personal reasons, leaving fans wondering how the show will explain his absence and what it means for the upcoming Season 13 storylines.

TL;DR: Here's the Quick Scoop

• Patrick John Flueger, who plays Adam Ruzek, is taking an unexpected leave of absence from Chicago P.D. Season 13.
• The departure is due to personal matters, with reports suggesting he's been going through a difficult period.
• Writers are currently reworking scripts, but Flueger is expected to return to the show later this season.

Unpacking the Unexpected Departure of a Key Intelligence Unit Member

Big news just dropped for Chicago P.D. fans: Patrick John Flueger, the talented actor behind Officer Adam Ruzek, is stepping away from the show for a bit. This isn't just a minor blip; sources from Deadline reported that Flueger is taking a temporary leave of absence from the popular NBC police drama to handle a personal matter. It was described as "unexpected," which means the show's writing team at Wolf Entertainment and Universal Television is scrambling to rewrite upcoming scripts to explain Ruzek's absence.

While the exact personal matter hasn't been fully disclosed, the reports mention that Flueger has been experiencing a "difficult period personally," including "an instance of alcohol use on set." We respect his privacy during this time and wish him the very best.

Adam Ruzek's Deeply Rooted History and Current Storylines on Chicago P.D.

Ruzek has been a cornerstone of the Intelligence Unit since Chicago P.D. premiered way back in January 2014. He joined the force fresh out of the police academy, quickly becoming Sergeant Hank Voight's (Jason Beghe) reliable, albeit sometimes impulsive, right-hand man. Over the seasons, we've watched Ruzek grow from a young recruit into a seasoned detective, navigating countless high-stakes situations on the streets of Chicago.

His personal life has also been a huge part of his character arc. Just last season, in the Season 12 finale, he finally tied the knot with Detective Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati), solidifying one of the most beloved relationships in the One Chicago universe, affectionately known as #Burzek. They're also parents to an adopted daughter, Makayla (Ramona Edith Williams), whom they welcomed in Season 8. On top of that, Ruzek has been dealing with his father, Disco Bob (Jack Coleman), who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in Season 12 and now resides in a nursing home.

Currently, in Season 13, the Intelligence team is trying to get back to normal after some intense fallout from Voight's orchestration involving Deputy Chief Charlie Reid. Ruzek and Burgess, specifically, have been focused on their family, even discussing the possibility of moving due to concerns about Makayla's schooling and safety after Burgess's harrowing experience being drugged and assaulted while undercover.

"My favorite thing about this relationship is, I think it’s one of the most realistic relationships on screen as far as adults are concerned. It’s complicated. It’s not easy. And they lean on each other and they hurt each other and they beat each other up. It’s so different. When have you seen that before? I don’t know if we worked it into that groove or if the writers did, or if people even are aware that that’s where our characters live. All I know is that it is really interesting to play."

— Patrick John Flueger on his character's relationship with Kim Burgess, Us Weekly (2022)

Creative Ways Chicago P.D. Could Explain Adam Ruzek's Absence

Given Ruzek's complex personal life, the writers have a few strong options for how to temporarily write him out of the show, especially since his departure was unexpected and required last-minute script changes:

• A Family Emergency Involving His Father: This seems like the most likely and emotionally resonant explanation. With his father suffering from Alzheimer's and residing in a nursing home, a sudden worsening of his condition could easily necessitate Ruzek taking an extended leave to care for him, potentially even requiring him to go out of state. This storyline would align perfectly with Ruzek's known dedication to his family.
• Focusing on a Family Move for Makayla: With Burgess and Ruzek actively discussing moving for Makayla's future, Ruzek could decide to take time off to manage the logistics of relocating, school searches, and house hunting. This would leverage an ongoing personal storyline and explain his absence without sending him into a dangerous "undercover" scenario.
• A Temporary Reassignment by IA Commander Devlin: Sergeant Voight recently made an enemy of IA Commander Devlin (Joel Murray) by fighting to get his unit back together. Devlin could retaliate by pulling Ruzek from Intelligence for a mandatory assignment that he can't refuse. While possible, this might feel a bit forced given Ruzek's current family focus.
• An Unexpected Undercover Operation: While Ruzek has a history with undercover work, this seems less probable right now. Taking on a deep cover assignment would be a huge risk given his new marriage and young daughter, and it would need a very personal hook for both him and Burgess to agree to it.

A Familiar Path for One Chicago Stars Taking Time Off

For fans worried that this might be a permanent goodbye, there's good news: Wolf Entertainment's One Chicago franchise has a history of accommodating its actors when personal matters arise. This isn't the first time a major character has taken a leave of absence, and it likely won't be the last. A notable example is Taylor Kinney, who plays Kelly Severide on Chicago Fire.

Kinney took a leave of absence from Chicago Fire in early 2023, returning to the series about 10 months later. His character was written out as being on a special ATF training program, which allowed for a clear, temporary explanation. Similarly, Marlyne Barrett, who portrays Maggie on Chicago Med, also took time off, with the door left open for her return. This precedent suggests that while Ruzek will be missed, his return is firmly planned for later in Season 13.

The Impact of Ruzek's Absence on the Intelligence Unit and Burzek

Ruzek's temporary departure will definitely be felt within the Intelligence Unit. He's not just a team member; he's often been Voight's sounding board and loyal soldier, ready to follow his sergeant even through some morally gray areas of policing. His absence will undoubtedly shift the team dynamics, requiring other characters like Kevin Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins) or Dante Torres (Benjamin Levy Aguilar) to step up.

On the home front, how will Kim Burgess handle Ruzek's absence, especially so soon after their wedding and with the ongoing discussions about their family's future? It could create new challenges for their freshly cemented marriage and for Makayla, adding another layer of realistic complexity to their already dynamic relationship. The writers will need to find creative ways to explore these themes, even with Flueger off-screen.

When Can We Expect Adam Ruzek's Return to Chicago P.D.?

While the exact number of episodes Flueger will miss and the date of his final appearance before the break are still up in the air, we know he was seen in "The Root Cause," which was episode 4 of Season 13, airing on October 22, 2025. The good news is that sources confirm he is expected to return later in Season 13. How long that "later" means is anyone's guess – it could be a handful of episodes, or he might not rejoin his costars until closer to the Season 13 finale, which would likely air in spring 2026.

For now, fans can rest assured that this isn't a permanent goodbye for Adam Ruzek. The Chicago P.D. writers are masters at crafting compelling storylines, and they're sure to find a way to keep the show engaging and meaningful even with a beloved character temporarily off the beat.

Catching Up With Chicago P.D. Season 13

In the meantime, you can keep up with the rest of the Intelligence Unit! Chicago P.D. airs Wednesday nights at 10/9c on NBC. If you miss an episode live, don't worry – new episodes are available to stream the very next day on Peacock.

Frequently Asked Questions About Patrick John Flueger's Chicago P.D. Leave

When did Chicago P.D. Season 13 premiere?

Chicago P.D. Season 13 premiered on NBC on October 1, 2025.

Where can I watch Chicago P.D. episodes?

New episodes of Chicago P.D. air Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC. You can stream them the next day on Peacock.

Will Patrick John Flueger be gone from Chicago P.D. permanently?

No, Patrick John Flueger's departure is temporary. He is expected to return to Chicago P.D. later in Season 13.

What is Adam Ruzek's current family situation on the show?

Adam Ruzek recently married Detective Kim Burgess, and they are raising their adopted daughter, Makayla. His father, Disco Bob, is also dealing with Alzheimer's and lives in a nursing home.

Sources

• Jacobs, Meredith. "3 Ways ‘Chicago P.D.’ Could Handle Patrick John Flueger’s Leave of Absence." TV Insider, October 22, 2025.
• Andreeva, Nellie. "'Chicago PD': Patrick John Flueger As Officer Adam Ruzek Takes Leave of Absence From NBC Drama." Deadline, October 21, 2025.
• Franken, Claire. "Chicago P.D.'s Patrick John Flueger To Take Leave Of Absence – How Will Ruzek's Absence Be Explained?" Looper, October 21, 2025.
• Rupnarine, Kimberly. "Red Wing native, Patrick John Flueger, taking leave of absence from NBC's Chicago P.D." KARE 11, October 22, 2025.
• Blu, Jasmine. "Chicago P.D. Is Unexpectedly Down a Member – Can the Series Make Flueger’s Absence Work?" TV Fanatic, October 22, 2025.
• Hussain, Maisha. "Chicago PD's Patrick John Flueger is Leaving — Here's Why." Showbiz Cheat Sheet, October 22, 2025.
• Bythrow, Nick. "Chicago P.D. Original Cast Member Takes Leave of Absence." Screen Rant, October 22, 2025.
• Heller, Corinne. "Patrick John Flueger Is Taking a Leave of Absence From 'Chicago P.D.'—What We Know About His Temporary Exit." Parade, October 22, 2025.