The Seattle Seahawks have been dealing with a number of off the field issues over the past week after Josh Portis was arrested and Bruce Irvin was suspended and now the team has some on the field issues to deal with, as Marshawn Lynch is the only healthy player absent from voluntary OTA workouts.
According to NFL.com, Lynch was absent from workouts on Monday and while the workouts are voluntary, the team was hoping to have its top players at the facility. Pete Carroll downplayed the absence and said that it would give the chance for Robert Turbin as well as rookie Christine Michael to take snaps with the first team offense. Carroll said that he hoped Lynch would return at some point in early June and stressed that the workouts were voluntary.
The team has been dealing with some bad off the field issues, including the suspension of Bruce Irvin for PED use as well as the arrest of backup quarterback Josh Portis for suspicion of DUI. Irvin is now the fifth player suspended since 2010 on the team for PED issues and the problem is highlighted by the fact that Carroll had discipline issues while at USC and the fact that Irvin had some character issues coming out of college.
Lynch was at the OTA workouts in the past and his absence could be a problem down the line as Russell Wilson and Percy Harvin start to work together after the receiver was brought in from the Vikings in a trade. The Seahawks made a number of big moves this offseason, including signing Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett. The team also added Antoine Winfield and should have one of the best secondary's in the league with Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman on the corners.
Lynch has some off the field issues to deal with on his own, as he has a DUI trial set for mid June, but that may end up not necessary as he has a court date this week to rule on a motion to dismiss the case. Lynch has been one of the best backs in the NFL over the past few years and he led the team with 1590 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, ranking in the top of the league in rushing.
"This is voluntary," Carroll said via The Seattle Times. "That's the rules and the guidelines. He came in 10 days ago and he's in very good shape. He's working an intense program in his area, and he is benefiting from it. We'd love to see everybody here."
