Marshawn Lynch Injury: Updates on Seahawks Star's Back and Return

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch didn't practice with the team on Wednesday due to a sore back.

Pro Football Talk's Curtis Crabtree had the news:

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'It’s an ongoing issue for him for years,' Carroll said. 'It’s something we’re always monitoring'

Lynch did not practice with the Seahawks on Wednesday due to his back issue...

Lynch frequently doesn’t practice on Wednesdays throughout the season and always finds a way to play on Sunday.  The fact that the injury in question is Lynch’s back could be the one troubling issue for Seattle.

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Crabtree notes that Lynch left the sidelines early during Sunday's loss to the Chargers because of his back as well. 

Lynch has been one of the most reliable backs in football over the past three seasons. He's missed only one game over that span while rushing for at least 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns each season. It's made him one of the league's pre-eminent workhorse rushers.

Numbers Never Lie noted a stat to drive home that point:

His ability to put an offense on his back and grind away at a defense is virtually unmatched. In an era where there's such a focus on getting the ball to players on the outside, he's a throwback who doesn't shy away from contact in between the tackles.

Over time, all of the hits take a cumulative toll. It makes the fact he's been able to stay on the field so consistently even more impressive.

He made headlines during training camp as he held out while seeking a new contract. While it's never a positive to be without a key offensive piece while getting ready for the season, in this case it probably ended up helping the Seahawks.

ESPN.com passed along comments from head coach Pete Carroll about the position while he was waiting for Lynch to return.

"But this is a tremendous opportunity for the guys getting their shot. Robert Turbin and Christine Michael, they're ready to go and really fired up about this opportunity and are going to try and take full advantage of it," Carroll said.

Those extra reps will now come in handy should Lynch be forced to miss time. Further information about the severity of the injury and how long he could be out should be available once he undergoes more testing and evaluation.

If it's an extended absence, the two backups will probably ending up splitting touches pretty evenly. Michael has more upside, so if either one is able to earn a larger part of the timeshare, he's the best bet. But it will take both in order to give the Seahawks a chance to make up Lynch's production.

Seattle hopes the injury concerns are wiped away and Lynch can return in short order. Once a final determination is made, the overall impact on the team will become more clear.