After having last played on Nov. 15 and undergoing abdominal surgery 10 days later, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch looked likely to return for last weekend’s Wild Card game against the Minnesota Vikings. But after practicing during the week he did not travel to Minnesota with the team, which invited speculation about something else being in play.
Lynch reportedly practiced on Wednesday and Thursday this week, with a full session Thursday, and in communication with ESPN’s Kenny Mayne he declared his status for Sunday’s Divisional Round matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
Lynch’s sent Mayne a two-word reply:
“I’m ready.”
Lynch’s official status on Friday’s injury report will be worth watching, but anything less than a probable designation would come as a surprise. He played in Seattle’s regular season loss to Carolina, with 17 carries for 54 yards and a touchdown, and in what should be a close to the vest, physical game on both sides 20-plus carries may be in store for Lynch this time around.
With the assumption of fresher legs than anyone else on the field, after a two-month absence from game action, Lynch could tilt things toward the Seahawks on Sunday afternoon.
