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Marshawn Lynch's surgery related to sports hernia

By Curtis Crabtree, The Sports Xchange
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch stands on the sidelines before their game against the Carolina Panthers at CenturyLink Field in Seattle on October 18, 2015. The Panthers came from behind with 32 seconds remaining in the 4th Quarter to beat the Seahawks 27-23. Photo by Jim Bryant/UPI
1 of 3 | Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch stands on the sidelines before their game against the Carolina Panthers at CenturyLink Field in Seattle on October 18, 2015. The Panthers came from behind with 32 seconds remaining in the 4th Quarter to beat the Seahawks 27-23. Photo by Jim Bryant/UPI | License Photo

RENTON, Wash. -- Running back Marshawn Lynch had surgery Wednesday morning for an injury related to a sports hernia, according to Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.

Lynch will remain in Philadelphia for the next several days until he is able to return to Seattle.

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"The doctor was very optimistic about a quick recovery," Carroll said. "That could mean within three to four weeks or something like that, there's a chance. Other than that, everything went very well."

Lynch will remain on the roster with the hope he will be able to return in December. Carroll said there is still a chance Lynch won't make it back this season, but the team doesn't expect that to be the case.

"The doctor projected that he could get back pretty quickly," Carroll said. "They fixed everything that was wrong, and the doctor was very optimistic about his return."

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Lynch has been inactive three times this season due to injuries. He never was inactive for a game before this season, though he did not play against Cleveland in 2011 after his back seized up prior to kickoff.

He has appeared on the injury report with hamstring, calf and abdominal injuries. His back can flare up at any time, and Carroll noted a neck issue at one point earlier this season as well.

Lynch has 417 yards and three touchdowns in seven games this season.

--If he could do it over again, Carroll says he wishes they would have made a change at center sooner.

The Seahawks made the decision to put Patrick Lewis in the starting lineup for their Week 6 game against the Carolina Panthers after going with Drew Nowak for the first five weeks. Lewis then got hurt and missed the next two games before returning to the starting role in Week 10.

"We really set our sights on trying to get Drew going," Carroll said. "We thought there was going to be a quick upsurge in his play, and it was hard for him in making the transition and all that. As I look back now, I would have liked to have given Patrick a chance earlier so we could compare it. But we still would have wanted to see how Drew would develop, and his learning curve is just going to take a little bit longer. It just didn't happen as fast as we needed it to."

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Seattle's offense put up 508 yards against the 49ers last week and posted its best third-down conversion rate of the season. The offensive line helped Thomas Rawls rush for 209 yards on 30 carries, which is the second most by a Seahawks running back in franchise history behind only Shaun Alexander's 266 yards in 2001.

The line slowly improved in recent weeks. It has allowed just four sacks in the past three games after allowing 31 over the first seven games of the season.

"I think Patrick Lewis has really helped us," Carroll said. "He's done a nice job for us. ... Patrick started playing, and we've done very well since he's been in there and it's been a nice little uptick so hopefully we can keep growing."

Lewis injured his ankle in the fourth quarter of last week's game against the 49ers, but he should be fine to play against the Steelers on Sunday, Carroll said. Lewis was a full participant in practice Wednesday.

--Wide receiver Doug Baldwin (ankle) took part in the team's walkthrough Wednesday but will be rested in practice through the week. "He's a little bit sore, but he's not going to miss this game," Carroll said.

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--Right guard J.R. Sweezy (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday after sustaining a stinger in last week's game against the 49ers. The ailment is not thought to be serious, as Sweezy returned to the game after missing just one play.

--Wide receiver Paul Richardson (hamstring) will be a game-time decision at best. He sustained a hamstring strain two weeks ago against the Arizona Cardinals, and he isn't expected to practice for most of the week.

--Linebacker Bruce Irvin (knee) will be a game-time decision at best. He sustained a sprained right MCL against the Cardinals and did not play Sunday against the 49ers.

--Right tackle Garry Gilliam (ankle) did not practice Wednesday. However, he finished the game against San Francisco last week.

--Cornerback Jeremy Lane (knee/arm) will be added to the active roster this week, and coach Pete Carroll said Lane is expected to play if he makes it through the week of practice without any setbacks. Lane remains on the physically unable to perform list after sustaining a torn ACL and broken arm in the Super Bowl.

--Running back Bryce Brown was re-signed Tuesday to provide depth at running back in the absence of Marshawn Lynch.

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--Wide receiver B.J. Daniels was promoted from the practice squad to provide depth at receiver. The Seahawks finished Sunday's game against the 49ers with just three healthy receivers after Doug Baldwin left with an ankle injury.

--Defensive tackle A.J. Francis was released by Seattle on Tuesday to clear a roster spot after being claimed off waivers from Miami last week. He cleared waivers and is now a free agent.

--Linebacker Nick Moody (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve after being injured Sunday against the 49ers.

--Running back Thomas Rawls (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday.

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