why is adam not on chicago pd

Adam Ruzek isn’t appearing on Chicago P.D. right now because his actor, Patrick John Flueger, is on a temporary leave of absence from the show to deal with a personal situation, with reporting indicating he is expected to return later in Season 13 rather than it being a permanent exit.

Quick Scoop: What’s Going On With Adam?

In the Show (Storyline Side)

In the current Season 13 episodes, Adam’s absence is mostly handled quietly in‑universe, with only brief or indirect mentions. One recent episode explains that he’s dealing with a family emergency connected to his father being in a memory care facility, which doubles as a convenient story reason for why he’s off‑screen for now.

You may also notice episodes where he’s just “not there” and nobody comments on it, which has frustrated some fans who feel the show glossed over his absence, especially when he missed multiple episodes in a row without much explanation on screen.

Behind the Scenes (Real-Life Reason)

Off screen, multiple entertainment outlets have confirmed that Patrick John Flueger requested and was granted a temporary leave of absence to address a personal matter. Reports describe it as a “difficult period personally,” with one source mentioning an instance of alcohol use on set that was part of what led to him stepping away for a time.

Because the decision came unexpectedly, the writers had to rework scripts to write around Adam in already‑planned episodes, which is why his absence can feel abrupt or uneven from episode to episode.

Is Adam Gone for Good?

Current reporting says this is not a permanent exit: he is expected to return later in Season 13. That means:

• He’s still considered part of the main cast.
• The door is open for more Ruzek–Burgess (“Burzek”) storylines once he’s back.
• Any “Adam is gone forever” rumors are, so far, not backed up by official info.

Of course, TV plans can always change in the long term, but as of the latest updates, his status is “temporary leave, planned return,” not a full departure.

What Fans Are Saying

On forums and social media, fans have been:

• Worried that his absence meant a secret permanent exit.
• Annoyed that recent episodes didn’t clearly explain where Adam was.
• Hopeful, since the behind‑the‑scenes reporting keeps using language like “temporary” and “expected to return.”

You’ll also see a lot of speculation about whether his return will come with a big storyline—like fallout from his time away, more focus on his father’s condition, or deeper family drama—but that’s fan theory for now, not confirmed plot.

TL;DR: Adam isn’t on Chicago P.D. right now because Patrick John Flueger took a temporary leave of absence for personal reasons, and the show wrote in a low‑key family/emergency explanation on screen, with current reports saying he’s expected to come back later in Season 13.

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