Beast Mode back just in time for playoffs

RENTON, Wash. — Marshawn Lynch has rejoined the Seattle Seahawks just in time for the playoffs.

Coach Pete Carroll said on his radio show Monday on KIRO-AM in Seattle that Lynch was back at the team’s facility after missing the final seven games of the regular season and undergoing abdominal surgery. Lynch had been recovering and going through workouts with his personal trainers with the expectation he would return this week.

Carroll said he had not spoken with Lynch, but saw him working out Monday morning. The Seahawks were not practising, so Lynch’s first chance to get back on the field and see if he’s ready to play will be Wednesday when Seattle begins preparations for Sunday’s wild-card game at Minnesota.

“Just normal football stuff. The week, we’ll go through it and see how he does and see if he’s holding up and all that. We’ll just assess it,” Carroll said. “This is not rocket science. We’re just going to go out there and play some football and see how he’s doing. I know he’s going to be in great shape and all that stuff. He’s worked his butt off to get that done and couldn’t ask for more in that regard.”

Lynch has appeared in just seven games this season, rushing for 417 yards and three touchdowns. Rookie Thomas Rawls was more than adequate filling in for Lynch until suffering a season-ending broken ankle in Week 14 at Baltimore. Over the past three weeks, the Seahawks have used the combo of Bryce Brown, Christine Michael and Fred Jackson to handle the running game.

Michael had the first 100-yard game of his career in Sunday’s win over Arizona, rushing for 102 yards on 17 carries.