Seattle Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch won't return to practice this week

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, recovering from surgery associated with a sports hernia injury, is not returning to practice this week.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, during his weekly appearance on 710 ESPN Seattle, did not provide a timetable when Lynch would be ready to return.

"It's just a race against time right now," Carroll said Monday. "I know he's going for it, so that's what's important."

ESPN's Chris Mortensen and Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reported that Lynch is in the Bay Area rehabbing from surgery. Glazer reported that Lynch is rehabbing with MMA coach Tareq Azim "to get the fight back" mentally.

"He hasn't been in a fight for such a long time," Carroll said. "He's been in and out. It's been such a distraction for him. I'm sure he's just trying to get to the top of his game so when he comes back, he can help out."

With Sunday's 30-13 win over the Cleveland Browns, the Seahawks clinched a playoff berth for the fourth consecutive year.

Christine Michael and Bryce Brown are expected to continue to be the primary running backs next Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.

Lynch, 29, has 417 yards and three touchdowns in seven games this season. Lynch underwent surgery on Nov. 25 in Philadelphia to repair a sports hernia and at the time the team said he would miss three to four weeks.