Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch was slated for limited participation in Wednesday’s practice, but he wound up not practicing at all after going through the team’s walkthrough in the morning.
That means it has been nearly three weeks since Lynch has practiced or played in a game as a result of back spasms. Lynch says that he feels good and that he’s preparing to play in the season opener against the Cardinals, but the Seahawks aren’t ready to make a decision about his availability at this point. Coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that there won’t be any determination until later in the week.
“He is aerobically in good shape,” Carroll said, via Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times. “We need to get him back his football legs and get him enough reps to do that. He’ll go real light today, and he’ll continue to progress as we go through the week. We’ll just have to wait and see. I can’t call it for you now.”
It sounds like we’re looking at a game-time or at least flight to Arizona time decision for Lynch. If he can’t go, the Seahawks will turn to rookie Robert Turbin, Leon Washington and Kregg Lumpkin at tailback in Week One. Turbin looked good in preseason, although the team would surely prefer to have Lynch start earning the long-term extension he signed during the offseason.