As always, Chicago Fire remains the heart of the One Chicago universe, with every crossover event drawing from the storylines that begin at Firehouse 51. This year’s highly anticipated 2025

crossover event is no exception, but fans of the franchise will notice one major absence. Joe Cruz (played by Joe Minoso), a beloved and long-standing member of the team,

will be missing from the action during the massive three-part crossover. Cruz, who has been part of Chicago Fire since its inception, has been a crucial figure in previous crossover events

. However, recent events within the show have caught up with him, and his character will face the consequences. In the previous season, Cruz made some questionable decisions that resulted in the death of a gang leader named Flaco. While Cruz took responsibility for his actions and was praised for being upfront about the incident, his past actions still come with repercussions.

In an episode titled “Chaos Theory,” Cruz finds himself suspended for two weeks without pay, a punishment handed down by Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney). Chief Pascal acknowledged that Cruz understood the gravity of his mistakes, but the suspension was necessary. Unfortunately, this means that Cruz will be absent during the crossover event that will bring all the One Chicago shows together in an explosive, three-part storyline.

The show’s boss, Andrea Newman, confirmed Cruz’s absence, explaining that it was a difficult decision but one that was crucial for the show’s dramatic tension. She shared that it felt natural for Cruz to face this consequence at the exact moment when the crossover occurs. “He’s the one character who’s not in the crossover,” Newman revealed. “It’s about paying the cosmic price for what happened. It makes sense that this is the moment where it all comes to a head.”

Cruz’s suspension is a direct result of the fallout from his past decisions, and it adds an extra layer of drama to the unfolding events. The actor behind Cruz, Joe Minoso, did an excellent job of keeping the storyline under wraps, leading fans to believe he would be participating in the event. Minoso spoke enthusiastically about the crossover in interviews, making it sound as though he would be in the middle of the action. He even playfully teased Chicago Med star Steven Weber, further fueling the illusion. However, it turns out that Minoso’s absence from the crossover was all part of the plan to heighten the stakes and emphasize the consequences of Cruz’s earlier actions.

Though Cruz won’t be part of the drama this time around, fans can rest assured that he will return once the crossover event concludes, ready to face the fallout from his suspension and dive back into the world of Chicago Fire. For now, though, the team at Firehouse 51 will have to manage without one of their most trusted members during one of the most high-stakes events in the One Chicago franchise’s history.