The Seahawks aren’t giving up much regarding the status of RB Marshawn Lynch for their Week 5 showdown with the undefeated Bengals. Lynch was sorely missed on Monday night vs. the Lions; veteran Fred Jackson left the game with a sprained ankle, and Thomas Rawls couldn’t get going.

Lynch missed the game with a hamstring strain, and although head coach Pete Carroll has let some shreds of optimism slip through the cracks, Lynch’s availability is up in the air.

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“His best day was today. He ran pretty well in pregame, but they did not think he could sustain through the game and come out healthy again the next week. So we’re hoping that by using patience here, that he’ll be ready to go this next week,” Carroll said Monday.

The Bengals will host the Seahawks this week, and will take the field with the NFL’s 6th-best rushing defense per FootballOutsiders.com. Detroit has the 14th-ranked rushing defense, and Rawls was only able to manage 48 yards on 17 carries.

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The offensive line has suffered since trading Pro Bowl center Max Unger to acquire tight end Jimmy Graham, who has yet to make much of an impact. Graham is a poor blocker, and combined with Unger’s absence, the Seattle offensive line is dependent on the running backs to make plays. Their adjusted line average of 3.77 is well below their 4.07 RB yards mark.

Getting Lynch going is important for fantasy owners, who undoubtedly invested a first-round pick into him ,and it’s also imperative for Graham, who will receive less defensive attention once the Seahawks’ running game kicks into gear.

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