The first practice report of wild-card week has been released and it contains encouraging news for the Seattle Seahawks.
Running back Marshawn Lynch was a full participant on Wednesday after missing the team's past seven games while rehabbing from surgery on his abdomen. Lynch returned to team headquarters earlier this week after weeks of training in the Bay Area and if he's able to make it through the work week unscathed Seattle head coach Pete Carroll has said the team anticipates he'll start Sunday's playoff game against the Vikings in Minnesota.
Strong safety Kam Chancellor (pelvis) was also a full participant for the Seahawks on Wednesday after missing Seattle's last three games. Left tackle Russell Okung (calf), right guard J.R. Sweezy (concussion), and tight end Luke Willson (concussion) were all limited to start the week after missing this past Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals. Earlier Wednesday, Carroll said Okung, Sweezy, Willson, and cornerback Jeremy Lane (oblique), who was injured at Arizona, all have a good chance to play this weekend. The only two players to not participate in Wednesday's session were wide receiver Tyler Lockett (hip) and defensive end Michael Bennett (toe), who said he played through considerable pain against the Cardinals.
For the Vikings, Seattle's opponent this Sunday at Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium, running back Adrian Peterson (low back) sat out of Wednesday's practice. Peterson, the NFL's leading rusher, left this past Sunday's NFC North-clinching win over the Green Bay Packers to injury in the game's third quarter, but was able to return. Also of note for the Vikings, nose tackle Linval Joseph (foot) returned to practice in limited fashion after sitting out last week's game against Green Bay. Joseph's foot injury forced him to miss his team's Week 13 game against the Seahawks, a game Seattle won, 38-7.
Here's a look at Wednesday's practice reports for the Seahawks and Vikings:
Seattle Seahawks
Did Not Participate in Practice
WR Tyler Lockett (Hip)
DE Michael Bennett (Toe)
Limited Participation in Practice
T Russell Okung (Calf)
G J.R. Sweezy (Concussion)
TE Luke Willson (Concussion)
CB Jeremy Lane (Oblique)
DT Jordan Hill (Toe)
Full Participation in Practice
RB Marshawn Lynch (Abdomen)
S Kam Chancellor (Pelvis)
Minnesota Vikings
Did Not Participate in Practice
RB Adrian Peterson (Low Back)
DT Kenrick Ellis (Ankle)
FB Zach Line (Illness)
Limited Participation in Practice
DT Linval Joseph (Foot)
DE Everson Griffen (Shoulder)
Full Participation in Practice
WR Adam Thielen (Shoulder/Low Back)
The Seahawks play their 11th wild-card game in franchise history this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. This gallery throws you back to each of the Seahawks' previous 10 wild-card games, including their first-ever playoff game in 1983 facing the Denver Broncos and their most recent in 2012 versus the Washington Redskins.
FILE - In this Jan. 9, 2000, file photo, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jon Kitna (7) scrambles away from Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas (54) during the third quarter of their AFC wild card playoff game in Seattle. Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Wash., has called a news conference Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, to introduce Kitna as the school's new football coach. Kitna is a graduate of the school who was recently hired as a math teacher after his 15-year career as an NFL quarterback. (AP Photo/John Froschauer, File)
Miami Dolphins J.J. Johnson (32) dives between Seattle Seahawks Jay Bellamy (20) and Cortez Kennedy to score the game-winning touchdown on a two-yard run during the fouth quarter of the AFC wild card playoff game Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000. Miami won 20-17. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino looks for a receiver downfield a toss against the Seattle Seahawks in their AFC wild card playoff game Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000 in Seattle. Marino, who was 17-of-30 for 196 yards and one touchdown pass, led the Dolphins to a 20-17. win (AP Photo/Matt Wallis)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Koren Robinson (81) runs a pass pattern as Green Bay Packers defensive back Mike McKenzie (34) in pass coverage during a Wild Card NFL Football Playoff game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin on January 4, 2004. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 33-27 in overtime. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Seattle Seahawks players tackle a Green Bay Packer Player during a Wild Card NFL Football Playoff game between the Seattle Seahawks against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin on January 4, 2004. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 33-27 in overtime. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green (30) runs with the football during a Wild Card NFL Football Playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin on January 4, 2004. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 33-27 in overtime. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett and his daughters, Blake, 6, and Peyton, 10, sign copies of a children's book authored by Bennett and his wife Pele titled 'Three Little Monsters Have a Wild Day'
Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett and his daughters, Blake, 6, and Ollie, 3, sign copies of a children's book authored by Bennett and his wife Pele titled 'Three Little Monsters Have a Wild Day'
Seahawks defensive tackle Nazair Jones works with youth at Michael Bennett's youth camp in Hawaii.
Seahawks defensive tackle Nazair Jones works with youth at Michael Bennett's youth camp in Hawaii.
San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ronald Blair works with youth at Michael Bennett's youth camp in Hawaii.
Seahawks defensive tackle Nazair Jones works with youth at Michael Bennett's youth camp in Hawaii.
Seahawks defensive tackle Nazair Jones works with youth at Michael Bennett's youth camp in Hawaii.
