CHARLOTTE, NC – JANUARY 17: Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on before the NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on January 17, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images)
The Seattle Seahawks have reached an agreement with running back Marshawn Lynch ahead of their Week 17 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Seattle Seahawks are still in the running for the NFC West title, but a recent string of injuries left them in a rough place ahead of their Week 17 showdown against the San Francisco 49ers. But a familiar face has come in to save the day.
On Monday night, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Seahawks have reached an agreement with their former running back Marshawn Lynch. The deal reportedly only covers the remainder of this season, including the postseason.
Lynch, who earned the nickname Beast Mode during his first stint with Seattle, was drafted in 2007 by the Buffalo Bills. After three years at Buffalo, Lynch joined the Seahawks midway through the 2010 season and stayed with them through the 2015 season. During that time, Lynch went to four Pro Bowls and won Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos.
Lynch retired in 2015, but came out of retirement in 2017 to play for the Oakland Raiders. He played two seasons in Oakland before retiring again, but now, the 33-year-old is set to make another return to the NFL.
Seattle found themselves desperate for a running back as the team approaches the playoffs. Chris Carson will likely miss the postseason after suffering a hip injury against the Arizona Cardinals. Rashaad Penny suffered a torn ACL in Week 14 and C.J. Prosise suffered a broken arm against the Cardinals, leaving rookie Travis Homer as the only healthy RB on the roster.
In addition to Lynch, the Seahawks have also signed RB Robert Turbin on Monday. Turbin served as Lynch’s backup in Seattle from 2012 to 2015.