However unlikely, return of Lynch gives Seahawks needed boost

When Marshawn Lynch played his last game for Seattle in January 2016, a playoff loss to Carolina, the idea of him ever wearing a Seahawks uniform again seemed preposterous.

Yet here was Lynch on Tuesday, going through his first practice with Seattle in nearly four years, and potentially tasked with playing a major role Sunday against San Francisco with the NFC West title on the line.

When it comes to NFL reunions, this is as unlikely as it gets — not just Lynch back on a football field after more than a year away, but back in Seattle.

“What I needed to hear from him is where his heart is. Is he in it and does he want to go for it, which he totally does,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. “He’s worked to prove that. I don’t doubt him one bit about that. He’s very sincere about how he presents himself to this game and it’s very important to him to be at his best and do well, and he’s going to do everything he can to make that happen.”

The arrival of Lynch was a spark of energy inside a Seattle locker room that was left reeling after last weekend’s 27-13 loss to Arizona. Not only were the Seahawks run over by the Cardinals, but they also lost their most direct path to the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs and their top two running backs to injury.

RAMS: The season is over for Jalen Ramsey. Los Angeles coach Sean McVay said the star cornerback will not play in Sunday’s finale against the Cardinals because of a knee injury suffered Saturday night in a loss to the 49ers. McVay said the three-time Pro Bowl selection suffered a sprained lateral collateral ligament in his left knee. The injury is expected to heal without surgery.