Despite getting in some practice time this week, RB Marshawn Lynch’s strained hamstring needs more time to heal, so he won’t travel to Cincinnati for the Seahawks’ 10 a.m. Sunday game against the 4-0 Bengals, missing his second game in a row.
“He’s very close, but we can’t guarantee that he can make it through the game,” coach Pete Carroll said after practice Friday. “That means we could get set back again, so we’re just going to wait it out and see if we can get him right next week.”
Lynch will not make the trip, meaning rookie Thomas Rawls will start for the third consecutive game. Backup RB Fred Jackson, who had a high ankle sprain in the win Sunday over Detroit, is listed as questionable, but Carroll seemed optimistic that Jackson will play.
“Fred had a fantastic recovery,” he said. “He’s listed as questionable. He’s going and we’re thinking he’s going to make it. He’ll have to work out on game day. But, he looks really good and we think he’s going to be able to play.
“It’s just unusual. Luke Willson has done this before in a week’s time. Way ahead of schedule. You just can’t figure out how he’s doing it, but he looks ready to go.”
Asked if the Seahawks will add another running back, Carroll was terse: “We may.”
With a home game against another 4-0 team, Carolina, looming after Cincinnati, Carroll said they were being cautious with Lynch.
“He could try to come back and play, but we think he’d be vulnerable,” he said. “He needs another weekend to get through it. Then by next week, we think we can get him going again. He’s just about over the hump.
“He actually did get a little bit of work. He’s running very well; however, it’s just two weeks now. He’s just getting over it . . . we could get set back again, so we’re just going to wait it out and see if we can get him right next week.”
On the other personnel question of interest,the offensive line, Carroll answered a question about whether the lineup remains intact by saying, Yes, for the most part.”
That was taken to mean that backup C Patrick Lewis will play, if not start.
“Yeah, Patrick could play,” he said. ” He’s ready to go.”
Drew Nowak, the starter at center for the first four games, had trouble managing the shotgun snaps and making protection calls Sunday against the Lions, who sacked QB Russell Wilson six times.
“We have done some things and hopefully we’ll see our play pick up,” he said. “Everybody has to contribute to that. You guys all want to focus just on the offensive line. I understand that, but we all have to play better and help so that we can execute the way we want to.”
Noteworthy
CB Marcus Burley had successful surgery to repair a broken right thumb and could be back within three weeks. Cornerback is thin with Tharold Simon out with a dislocated toe, and Tye Smith iffy with a sore hip. Simon’s continuing problems my prompt a roster move, Carroll said . . . The Seahawks will have safety Steven Terrell back (hip) . . . On defense, reserve LB Kevin Pierre-Louis will make the trip but is listed doubtful (hamstring), as is DE Demarcus Dobbs (shoulder).
5 Comments
Rod Smith is a RB on the practice squad. Not sure if he could be activated. Being a rookie I doubt Carroll would want 2 of them to rely on. If Marshawn has this injury nagging him all season I’m wondering if he’ll starting thinking retirement.
Yes, we care about the offensive line because it is ALL ABOUT the offensive line. With Lynch out, Bengals will not respect the rush. Hope Wilson has been working on short passes and bootleg plays, as long drop backs are not going to work.. Only way for the Hawk’s to win this one is some big defensive plays.
I don’t understand why Marshawn isn’t accompanying the team to Cincinnati, so he can offer support from the sidelines. Is Mr. Allen short of funds to add another passenger to the plane?
Who cares? He sat in a luxury suite the last game.