Several of the Seattle Seahawks' stars underwent offseason surgeries and now Robert Turbin can be added to the list. According to the Seattle Times, the backup running back underwent offseason hip surgery that has left him with an unknown timetable for a return. While the Seahawks will once again rely heavily on Marshawn Lynch in the upcoming year, the lack of depth behind him could force the Seahawks to make a roster move.
Turbin has been a rotational player for the Seahawks during his first three years with the team as he played backup to Lynch alongside Christine Michael. In three seasons Turbin racked up 928 yards on 231 attempts. When rumors went flying regarding Lynch's return to the team, head coach Pete Carroll expressed full confidence in Turbin to help lead the ground game. Now he is expected to miss some time and Seattle could be forced to add to the roster, at least for camp purposes.
According to ESPN.com, teams in need of running back depth have a few options available. Former Atlanta Falcons running back Steven Jackson is making it clear that he is fully available to sign and wants to join on with a contending team. That appears to still be the Seahawks, but is the feeling mutual? With Lynch on board as the workhorse, the Seahawks only need a rotational player. At this point, that is all Jackson is, but he stresses he can be more.
"I don't want to go to a team that is rebuilding and needs me to come on and teach guys how to be professional," Jackson said, via ESPN.com. "I've done that. I've been more than vocal about wanting to help young guys, but at some point I have to be a little selfish. I want to be part of a winning team because when I do hang up my cleats, I can see a lot of people holding that over my head when a lot of it was out of my control."
If the Seahawks have concerns about Turbin's health entering workouts, they will only sign veteran running backs that they can get for an affordable price. Chris Johnson and Pierre Thomas are the other two top options. Johnson has already put in his request to join the Dallas Cowboys while Thomas has been quiet this offseason. The chances are 50/50 that Seattle actually picks someone up considering Lynch is expected to be healthy come practice time.
