Marshawn Lynch will play this week

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) runs the ball against the St. Louis Rams during the second half at Edward Jones Dome. The Seahawks defeat the Rams 14-9. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Seahawks star running back Marshawn Lynch is the identity of this offense, and he is on pace for a third straight season with over 1,200 rushing yards. Lynch is averaging “just” 4.1 yards per carry, but he has 601 rushing yards in total with 181 receiving yards as well. Lynch has been able to find the end zone frequently this season with seven touchdowns and will surely bounce back after his worst game of this season on Monday night. The Seahawks were able to survive a late scare from the rival St. Louis Rams, but Lynch was given the ball just eight times and could only amass 23 yards on those carries. It’s been a difficult season for both Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch, as both players have had to operate behind a hobbled and ineffective offensive line, which has been the only true weakness for this team.

Lynch did not practice on Wednesday with a knee injury, and he wasn’t able to practice yesterday either. That led to some concerns regarding Lynch’s status, because this knee injury is a new one on the injury report for Lynch. But Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported yesterday that Lynch “will play” this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Facing one of the league’s worst teams in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I fully expect the Seahawks to give Robert Turbin plenty of garbage carries (I wonder if we’ll also see more of Texas A&M rookie Christine Michael). It’s great to hear that Lynch will play and he’ll “get his”, but I think they’ll end up resting him up late in the game. Lynch is incredibly important to the Seahawks, but he’s become even more important due to the season-ending injury to Sidney Rice and some inconsistencies in the passing game. Things will be much better once Russell Okung and Percy Harvin return.

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