Bye week blues: Raiders lose RB Lynch at least one month

Running back Marshawn Lynch will be lost to the Raiders for at least a month with a groin injury, and there’s a strong possibility he could be placed on injured reserve, according to a report by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.

It’s unclear when Lynch was hurt, but it appears the injury is something he has coped with since the start of the season. Lynch was listed on the season’s first injury report with a groin injury but did not miss any time.

Lynch missed only one game last season, his first with the Raiders. He’s been one of the most durable backs since entering the league in 2007.

Only once has he failed to play in at least 13 games in a season — that was 2015 when he played in seven games for the Seattle Seahawks before retiring at the end of the season.

Lynch leads the Raiders with 90 carries for 376 yards and three touchdowns.

With Lynch out, Doug Martin is expected to get the bulk of the work. Martin’s carries have declined the past three games, and he did not have a rush in a 27-3 loss last week to the Seahawks in London. Coach Jon Gruden, however, has remained high on Martin, whose rushing style is similar to Lynch’s.

Jalen Richard, who has contributed as a receiver, also could expect an increase in carries. Deandre Washington is likely to make his season debut behind Richard when the Raiders return from their bye week to host the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 28.

Washington had arthroscopic knee surgery in August, but he’s been healthy for a month.

Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com.

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