CHARLOTTE - After an eight-game absence, Marshawn Lynch is back.

The Seahawks running back, who had abdomen surgery in November, is active for Sunday's divisional-round game at Carolina, an outcome that was likely, but not certain, when Lynch was declared probable on Friday.

Lynch, who last played in Seattle's Week 10 loss to Arizona, will look to build on a successful postseason career that has seen him rush for 917 yards and nine touchdowns in 10 postseason games.

"He had a great week, he really did," Carroll said on Friday. "He was faster and more explosive this week than last week. You could see that he made an improvement.

"He's really pumped to play football and play with his team. I'm looking forward to him playing like he has in the past. We'll make sure to watch and see how he's doing and how much we can play him. We'll figure that out as the game goes."

Carroll said with Lynch back, Christine Michael, who has played well since signing with Seattle last month, will also "play a lot."

As expected, the Seahawks are mostly healthy coming into this game, with only Will Tukuafu (hamstring) inactive for injury-related reasons. Tukuafu had been listed as doubtful on Friday. Carolina is also healthy for the most part, including receiver Ted Ginn Jr., who is active after being listed as questionable on Friday. Running back Fozzy Whittaker is Carolina's only injury-related inactive.

Seahawks inactives

CB Tye Smith

RB Bryce Brown

FB Will Tukuafu

LB Eric Pinkins

G Mark Glowinski

C/G Kristjan Sokoli

DT A.J. Francis

Panthers inactives

WR Brenton Bersin

CB Lou Young

S Dean Marlowe

RB Brandon Wegher

RB Fozzy Whittaker

WR Kevin Norwood

DE Ryan Delaire