Before the Seattle Seahawks triumphed in their Wild Card Playoffs matchup, there were reports that running back Marshawn Lynch would return and play in the game, but that did not happen and head coach Pete Carroll revealed why.
Lynch participated in the Seahawks' practices for the week heading to their Wild Card Playoff game versus the Minnesota Vikings and did not have any setback regarding his abdomen injury.
But Lynch did not join the Seahawks' trip to Minnesota and according to Carroll, it was the star running back's decision to not see action against the Vikings.
"He didn't feel like he could go, and that's it. He just didn't feel like he had it. There wasn't enough time to build the confidence that he needed to come in and do something," Carroll said following their 10–9 win over the Vikings to advance to the Divisional Playoffs.
Lynch, who has not seen action since November because of his injury, was expected by Carroll and the Seahawks to play against the Vikings since it seems like he is already at a hundred percent physically.
But that did not happen, although the Seahawks managed to steal the win and set up a clash with the Carolina Panthers this Sunday.
Now, for their game facing Carolina, Carroll said they are taking it "one day at a time" with Lynch and he still does not know if "Beast Mode" will play, The Seattle Times reported.
In Lynch's absence, the Seahawks played well, though, closing the regular season at 6–2 and surviving the Vikings.
But the addition of the 29-year-old will surely boost Seattle's offense and is set to make life harder for the opposing team's defensive lineup.
The Seahawks are aiming to reach the Super Bowl for the third consecutive season and win it for the second time in three seasons, after capturing it in 2013 but falling short last season.
