Marshawn Lynch out, Fred Jackson questionable for Seahawks against Cincinnati

RENTON – Marshawn Lynch is out but Fred Jackson, believe it or not, could be in.

A hamstring injury will sideline Lynch for the second straight week as Seattle heads to Cincinnati for Sunday’s game against the 4-0 Bengals while Jackson, the veteran backup, has made what coach Pete Carroll called a “miraculous” recovery from a high ankle sprain he sustained Monday. Jackson missed the first two practices this week then took part on a limited basis Friday. He’s listed as questionable, which amounts to an estimated 50 percent chance of playing. Carroll seemed even more optimistic than that designation would suggest.

“He’s going and we’re thinking he’s going to make it,” Carroll said. “He’ll have to work out on game-day, but he looks really good and we think he’s going to be able to play.”

Even if Jackson does play, Lynch’s absence means rookie Thomas Rawls is the only completely healthy tailback on Seattle’s roster. Carroll said it’s possible the team could add one before Sunday’s game – the most logical move in that case would be elevating rookie Rod Smith from the practice squad – though fullback Derrick Coleman has carried the ball before and is Seattle’s emergency tailback.

Lynch injured his hamstring in Week 3 against Chicago, leaving that game in the first half with what Carroll called a strain. He didn’t practice at all leading up to Monday night’s game against Detroit, which he missed, and his only work in practice this week was on Thursday, when he was limited. Carroll said Lynch has shown improvement and is “running very well” but that the team doesn’t want to risk re-injury by bringing him back before he’s completely recovered. Lynch won’t make the trip to Cincinnati.

“We’ve seen some guys around the league try to come back. He could try to come back and play, but we think he’d be vulnerable,” Carroll said. “He needs another weekend to get through it. Then by next week, by Wednesday or something, we think we can get him going again. He’s just about over the hump. He’s worked very diligently, like I’ve said, to get it done. So we just have to wait a couple more days.”

Carroll hints at subtle O-line move

Carroll said Wednesday that the Seahawks are sticking with the same five starters along their offensive line despite that group’s pronounced struggles. On Friday, though, he hinted at the possibility of a subtle change when asked again whether that group will remain intact.

“Yes, for the most part,” Carroll said.

The likeliest of any personnel adjustments along Seattle’s offensive line would be to give backup Patrick Lewis some snaps at center, where Drew Nowak has had his issues over the first four games.

Seahawks thin at cornerback

The good news at cornerback for the Seahawks is that Marcus Burley could return from his broken thumb in only a few weeks. The bad news is that their depth could be an issue in the meantime.

In addition to Burley, Tharold Simon remains out due to lingering effects of a toe that he previously dislocated while rookie Tye Smith is listed as doubtful because of a hip injury. Simon’s toe injury has already kept him out of three of Seattle’s first four games.

DeShawn Shead replaced Burley at nickelback last week and figures to do so in his absence. Steven Terrell – who like Shead has primarily played safety for Seattle – will provide depth at cornerback.

Burley broke his thumb Monday night and had surgery Thursday.

“The surgery went great,” Carroll said. “He’s going to be able to make it back in a couple of weeks. Really this is an amazing turnaround from a legit broken thumb and all. But the surgery supposedly went great, and maybe three weeks from now he has a chance to get back out here.”

OUT
RB Marshawn Lynch (hamstring)
CB Tharold Simon (toe)
CB Marcus Burley (thumb)

DOUBTFUL
DE Demarcus Dobbs (shoulder)
CB Tye Smith (hip)
LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (hamstring)

QUESTIONABLE
RB Fred Jackson (ankle)

PROBABLE
DT Brandon Mebane (groin)
WR Ricardo Lockette (shortness of breath)
S Steven Terrell (hip)

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