The Seattle Seahawks have turned their season around thanks to Russell Wilson's momentum in the passing game. With two games left in the regular season the last thing the Seahawks need to get going is the run game as question marks circle around Marshawn Lynch. Fans were hoping that when Thomas Rawls was lost for the year with an ankle injury, Lynch would return following surgery for an abdominal issue. However, that has not been the case and will not be the case heading into Week 16.
According to head coach Pete Carroll via 710 ESPN Seattle, Lynch will not return for Week 16's game against the St. Louis Rams. The running back has been out recovering from surgery for a sports hernia and many were hoping that he could be back before the end of the regular season, but that might not be happening. Carroll confirmed that Lynch has been rehabbing offsite with an MMA coach as reported by FOX Sports' Jay Glazer. Carroll noted that Lynch is racing against the clock right and this will get him in good shape.
"It's just a race against time right now," Carroll said, via ESPN.com. "I know he's going for it, so that's what's important. He hasn't been in a fight for such a long time. He's been in and out. It's been such a distraction for him. I'm sure he's just trying to get to the top of his game so when he comes back, he can help out."
With Lynch out of the mix, the run game will be a rotation between Christine Michael and Bryce Brown. Michael led the charge against the Cleveland Browns with 84 yards off 16 carries. Brown recorded 43 yards off nine carries. Neither found the endzone, but they did not have to with Doug Baldwin bringing in two scores and Tyler Lockett getting one as well. According to the Seattle Times, the Seahawks will not push a lead running back and will aim to split the carries, but Michael appears to be the favorite for more work with Lynch out. However, even with the split carries, Carroll hesitates to say the Seahawks are going a by-committee approach.
"We're not using that word," Carroll said, via ESPN.com. "We don't know that word. We're just going to go one day at a time and see how that goes. I was really happy that those guys were productive, and the guys up front did another fine job for us, and I'm really fired up that they continue to show consistency."
The mix of Michael and Brown was enough to get the Seahawks a win and it should be enough against the Rams as well. With Wilson playing the way he is, the Seahawks do not need 100 yards from a rusher although the quarterback likely would not mind it. Wilson has been playing some of his best football in the last stretch of games as Carroll stresses this is what the Seahawks have come to expect from their quarterback and offense. The biggest question is whether or not that can continue with Lynch still out of the mix.
