Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch could return from surgery in 3-4 weeks

SEATTLE – Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch had successful sports hernia surgery Wednesday and could return to action in 3-4 weeks, coach Pete Carroll said during his weekly press conference Wednesday.

While Carroll didn’t rule out that Lynch could be done for the season, he said doctors are “very optimistic” that they fixed Lynch’s issues and that he will have a chance to return later in the season.

“The doctor was very optimistic about a quick recovery and that could mean within three or four weeks, something like that, there’s a chance (he returns),” Carroll said.

Carroll said that the surgery was “related” to a sports hernia issue.

Carroll said Lynch will remain on the active roster for now with the hope that he will return.

Asked if Lynch could miss the season Carroll said, “You have to say there’s a chance, but we don’t expect that to happen.”

But Carroll said the doctors “fixed everything that was wrong and the doctor was very optimistic about his return.

“The doc got in there and fixed a couple of things and was able to really tack it down real nice and was really fired up that he’s going to get back.”

Cornerback Richard Sherman said he had talked with Lynch and said, “He’s in good spirits,” and that it’s the first surgery Lynch has had in nine years in the NFL.

The injury means Lynch will definitely be out for Seattle’s next two games, which are two of the three the Seahawks have left against teams that have winning records – the 6-4 Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at CenturyLink Field and then a game at the 7-3 Minnesota Vikings a week from Sunday.

Lynch will be replaced by rookie Thomas Rawls, who ranks 14th in the NFL with 604 yards.

Lynch flew on Monday to Philadelphia for the meeting with Dr. William C. Meyers, a noted sports hernia specialist who also performed a recent surgery on Robinson Cano of the Seattle Mariners. Lynch met with Meyers on Tuesday and surgery was then planned and held this morning.

Lynch has been battling an abdomen injury suffered in practice last Thursday. Lynch played with the injury against Arizona on Nov. 15 but was a late scratch for Sunday’s win over the 49ers.

Carroll on Monday had surgery might be an option, but that the meeting was mostly to evaluate Lynch and see where he is.

Seattle on Tuesday re-signed veteran Bryce Brown to add depth with Lynch expected out for at least a week.

Lynch had missed just one game as a Seahawk before this season, that coming in 2011 when back spasms held him out against Cleveland. He missed two games earlier this season with a hamstring injury and missed a third on Sunday.

Rawls has started four games this season (including against Chicago when Lynch had issues with a calf early) and has rushed for 100 or more yards in three of those. He leads the NFL with a 6.0 yards per carry average.