Beast Mode reunion? Seahawks may bring back Marshawn Lynch for game against the 49ers
The injury-depleted Seattle Seahawks could be calling on a familiar face for Sunday’s game against the 49ers.
The team is reportedly bringing in running back Marshawn Lynch for a visit as top running backs Chris Carson (hip) and C.J. Procise (arm) went down in Sunday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Lynch hasn’t played since October 2018, when he had a groin injury with the Raiders. So how likely is a Beast Mode reunion?
According to Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, there’s a “really good chance” Lynch is signed and in his No. 24 uniform for the Sunday night’s clash at CenturyLink Field that will determine the NFC West champion. Carroll said Lynch is flying to Seattle to meet with the team early this week.
“He’s been working really hard. He’s really excited about the chance to do something helping out, and I think it’s freakin’ great if he could get out there and tote the ball for us. The circumstances rolled just at this time and he could have four or five games left in him. Maybe that’s what we need,” Carroll said Monday during a radio interview on 710 ESPN in Seattle.
Carson, the team’s leading rusher with 1,230 yards this season, suffered a season-ending hip injury against Arizona. Prosise is also expected to land on injured reserve. Fellow running back Rashaad Penny, a first-round draft pick in 2018, tore his ACL earlier this month.
Lynch last played in Seattle in 2015 before taking 2016 off and signing with his hometown Raiders in 2017. He went to five Pro Bowls with the Seahawks and was a first-team All-Pro in 2012. He led the league in rushing touchdowns in 2013 (12) and 2014 (13).
He averaged 4.3 yards per carry in 21 games over two seasons with Oakland before suffering the injury against Seattle during a game in London.
Running back isn’t the only position where the Seahawks are thin. They aren’t expected to have standout safety Quandre Diggs (ankle) or starting left tackle Duane Brown (knee), though they are slated to return at some point in next month’s playoffs, according to a report from NBC Sports Northwest.
There was one piece of good news for Seattle on the injury front. Carroll said during his interview he expects defensive end Jadeveon Clowney to play Sunday after missing the past two games with a core muscle injury.
Clowney had a big game against San Francisco in their previous meeting Nov. 11, which was also left tackle Joe Staley’s first game back after breaking his fibula. Clowney recorded a sack, five quarterback hits, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery while Staley later admitted he returned too soon from his Week 2 injury.
