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what happened to patrick flueger

Patrick John Flueger is okay and still active, but he did step away from Chicago P.D. for a while due to a personal issue and is now in the process of returning to the show.

Quick Scoop: What Happened To Patrick Flueger?

Brief overview

Patrick John Flueger, who plays Adam Ruzek on Chicago P.D. , took a leave of absence from the series in late 2025 to deal with a personal matter.

Reports linked this break to a difficult personal period that included at least one instance of alcohol use on set, though details were kept private and framed as a personal issue rather than a permanent exit.

In early 2026, coverage around Chicago P.D. confirmed that his character Ruzek was temporarily written out via an off‑screen family emergency, explaining his absence in‑universe while he remained away from filming.

Industry and fan outlets now indicate it is “just a matter of time” before Flueger is back on screen, and that he has already returned to set ahead of the holidays to resume work.

Timeline: From Leave To Return

1. Leave of absence (late 2025)

  • Around October 2025, entertainment news reported that Patrick John Flueger was taking a leave of absence from Chicago P.D..
  • The leave was described as related to a “personal matter” after a difficult period, with mention of an incident involving alcohol use on set, but it was also made clear he was expected to return.

Fans on forums and Reddit discussed whether this meant he was leaving for good, but most reporting emphasized it as a temporary break, not a firing.

2. How the show explained Ruzek’s absence

  • For several episodes, the show had Flueger’s character, Adam Ruzek, off‑screen without a detailed explanation, which confused many viewers.
  • In the January 7, 2026 winter premiere, Chicago P.D. finally gave an on‑screen update: Ruzek was away because his father had an unspecified emergency, allowing him to be absent while still very much part of the story.
  • Commentators noted that the writers intentionally kept the family emergency vague, likely to protect Flueger’s privacy while still acknowledging his absence in a respectful way.

3. Signs he’s back to work

  • Entertainment coverage confirms that Patrick John Flueger returned to the Chicago P.D. set ahead of the 2025 Christmas holidays, signaling that filming with him had resumed.
  • A December 10 on‑set birthday celebration video posted by co‑star Marina Squerciati showed Flueger smiling with castmates, reinforcing that he was back around the team and in good spirits.
  • Articles and fan-focused sites now say his on‑screen return is expected in 2026 episodes, suggesting viewers should see Ruzek again soon, either before or just after the show’s winter scheduling breaks.

Health and “illness” rumors

What’s confirmed vs. speculation

  • Some generic blog-style sites refer broadly to a “Patrick Flueger illness” or “injury update,” but they mainly speak in general terms and emphasize that specific medical details are not public.
  • These pieces repeatedly stress the importance of respecting his privacy and avoiding speculation, highlighting that there has been no clear, official disclosure of a specific diagnosis or long‑term health condition.
  • In other words, while fans have expressed concern and some outlets use dramatic health‑related headlines, there is no solid, detailed public confirmation that he has a particular ongoing illness, beyond the fact that he experienced a challenging period and needed time off.

Current status: Is Patrick Flueger still on Chicago P.D.?

From what’s publicly available up to early 2026:

  • He remains associated with Chicago P.D. and continues to be known as the actor behind Adam Ruzek, an original member of the Intelligence Unit since 2014.
  • His break was temporary; multiple sources indicate he has already returned to set and is expected back on screen in 2026 episodes.

So, if you’re seeing people ask “what happened to Patrick Flueger,” the short version is:

  • He went through a tough personal period, including at least one alcohol‑related incident on set.
  • He took a leave of absence from Chicago P.D. in late 2025 to focus on personal matters.
  • The show wrote his character out temporarily with a family‑emergency storyline.
  • He has since returned to set and is expected back on the show in 2026.

Mini FAQ

Is Patrick Flueger sick?
There are vague online references to “illness,” but no reliable, detailed public information about a specific condition; most serious sources emphasize privacy and discourage speculation.

Did he quit Chicago P.D.?
No solid reporting says he quit permanently; the leave of absence was presented as temporary, and his return to set and scheduled 2026 appearance suggest he’s still part of the show.

Is he okay now?
Public signs—such as being back on set, appearing in cast birthday celebrations, and articles framing his return as good news—suggest he is doing better and resuming work.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.