Seahawks may bring back Lynch
The Seahawks could be reuniting with former star running back Marshawn Lynch, coach Pete Carroll said during his radio show Monday.
Lynch flew to Seattle and underwent a physical later that day. The Seahawks are in desperate need of running backs after Chris Carson (hip) and C.J. Prosise (arm) both suffered season-ending injuries in Sunday’s 27-13 loss to the Cardinals.
“... We’re going to give him a really good chance of coming back and playing for us,” Carroll said of Lynch.
Lynch hasn’t played in more than a year. His last game was Week 6 of last season with the Raiders before a core injury ended his season.
But the best stretch of Lynch’s career came during his six seasons with the Seahawks. He arrived via trade from the Bills early in the 2010 season and became the face of a franchise filled with stars during his time. Sometimes difficult to deal with, but almost always productive on the field, Lynch rushed for 6,347 yards and 57 touchdowns in the regular season during his time with the team.
Lynch will always be remembered for his touchdown run in the 2010 playoffs against the Saints that helped coined the nickname “Beast Mode.” It was the top of the long list of highlights with the Seahawks.
The current Seahawks need production and that will be the big question with a 33-year-old running back. Lynch averaged 4.2 yards per carry and 62.7 yards per game before getting injured last season.
The Seahawks would take those kinds of numbers to help make up for the loss of Carson, who finished the year with a career-high 1,230 yards and 4.4 yards per attempt.
ESPN reported that former running back Robert Turbin signed with the Seahawks on Monday night. He played for the team from 2012-14 and was Lynch’s backup.
Mixed bag for Eagles: Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz suffered a fractured rib during the Eagles’ win over the Cowboys on Sunday, according to reports Monday.
There’s no timetable yet for his return, but the Eagles believe the injury is bad.
The Eagles can clinch the NFC East title with a road win over the Giants in the finale.
On the positive side, ESPN reported that running back Jordan Howard likely will return for the game after missing the last six with a shoulder injury.
Resting Ravens: Having already accomplished all their goals for the regular season, the Ravens will play the finale against the Steelers this weekend without quarterback and leading league MVP candidate Lamar Jackson, eight-time Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda and several other key starters, including injured running back Mark Ingram.
The Ravens (13-2) extended their winning streak to 11 games and clinched the top seed in the AFC playoffs with a Week 16 win over the Browns. Ingram left in the fourth quarter with a calf injury, but should be ready when the Ravens open the playoffs at home during the second weekend in January.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Monday that Ingram has a “mild to moderate calf strain” and would probably be unavailable against the Steelers even if the game mattered to Baltimore.
“We’d be looking for him to be ready in two weeks,” Harbaugh said.
Ingram has rushed for 1,018 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. The Ravens will use Gus Edwards and rookie Justice Hill at running back against the Steelers (8-7), who are still in the playoff hunt.
Jackson will get a well-deserved day off after running for 1,206 yards and throwing 36 touchdown passes over the first 15 games.
Robert Griffin III will start in Jackson’s place, and it’s possible that third-stringer Trace McSorley could make his NFL debut.
Safety Earl Thomas and defensive tackle Brandon Williams will also be rested, said Harbaugh, who expects to expand that list as the week goes on.
Harbaugh understands the potential downside of having some of his star players going three weeks without game action, but hopes spirited practice sessions will fill the void.