Seattle Seahawks star running back Marshawn Lynch may have played his last game as a Seahawk, as the team is reportedly debating whether or not to place him on season-ending injured reserve, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. Lynch underwent surgery this past Wednesday to repair a sports hernia, but reportedly could return for a late season push, according to NFL reporter Ian Rapoport.
Lynch's contract was restructured prior to this season, and the Seahawks running back earned $12 million in 2015. He has a $9 million salary for next season. Lynch was averaging 3.8 yards per carry this season, which was his worst average since his first season in Seattle in 2010. The Seahawks star running back had been dominant the four previous seasons rushing for over 1,000 yards from 2011-14.
While it's unclear if the Seahawks will place Lynch on injured reserve, they seem to have found their replacement for Lynch in rookie running back Thomas Rawls. Rawls rushed for 209 yards with a touchdown, and also caught three passes for 46 yards and another touchdown last week against the San Francisco 49ers.
The expectations of Rawls' future in Seattle are high, and have drastically changed since being signed as a free agent this past spring. The Seahawks are currently battling to make the playoffs and sit at 5-5 prior to their matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday. Seattle currently sits three games behind the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West, and how they play down the stretch of this season could determine if Lynch comes back this year and, maybe, next.
