[wysifield-embeddedaudio|eid="318026"|type="embeddedaudio"|view_mode="full"]
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has been ruled out for Sunday's game with an ankle injury, meaning the Pro Bowl back will miss his second straight game and just his third as a Seahawk.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll had been cautiously optimistic about Lynch's chances of returning earlier in the week, and Lynch was a limited participant in practice Thursday, but on Friday the decision was made to hold him out for another game rather than risk a setback.
"He actually did get a little work, and he is running very well, however, it's just two weeks now and he's just getting over it," Carroll said. "We've seen some guys around the league try to come back; he could try to come back and play, but we think he'd be vulnerable. He needs another weekend to get through it, then by next week, by Wednesday or something, we think we can get him going again. He's just about over the hump. He has worked very diligently to get it done, so we're just going to have to wait a couple more days.
"He's very close, but we can't guarantee he would make it through the game, so that means we'd be set back again, so we're just going to wait it out and see if we can get him right next week."
Running back Fred Jackson, who suffered an ankle injury in Monday's game against Detroit, is questionable, meaning Thomas Rawls is the only fully healthy running back on the current 53-man roster, though the Seahawks do also have Rod Smith available on their practice squad. Fullback Derrick Coleman, who played running back in college, is another option there, and he lined up several times at running back Monday following Jackson's injury, though he did not have a carry.
Despite Jackson suffering a high-ankle sprain, which usually keeps players out for several weeks, the veteran back has a good shot at playing, Carroll said.
"Fred had a fantastic recovery," Carroll said "He is listed as questionable, but we're thinking he's going to make it. He'll have to work out on game day, but he looks really good and we think he'll be able to play.
"It's just unusual," Carroll said of a player making it back so soon from this injury. "Luke Willson has done this before in a week's time. He's way ahead of schedule. You just can't figure out how he's doing it, but he looks ready to go. It's a miraculous recovery."
In addition to Lynch, the Seahawk will also be without cornerbacks Tharold Simon (toe) and Marcus Burley (hand), while cornerback Tye Smith (hip) is doubtful. Carroll and defensive coordinator Kris Richard both said this week that safety Steven Terrell could play corner if needed, a position he has played in the past.
Carroll said Burley, who had surgery on a broken thumb Thursday, could be back in two to three weeks. Simon, meanwhile, is dealing with a toe injury similar to the one that led to surgery his rookie season.
"He has had surgery on his other foot, same toe, same situation," Carroll said. "That's something we're trying work through right now whether that's necessary or not."
In more positive news, defensive tackle Brandon Mebane is probable after missing Monday's game with a groin injury.
Here are the injury reports for both teams.
Seattle Seahawks
Out
RB Marshawn Lynch (hamstring, did not participate in practice)
CB Tharold Simon (toe, DNP)
CB Marcus Burley (hand, DNP)
Doubtful
DE Demarcus Dobbs (shoulder, DNP)
CB Tye Smith (hip, DNP)
LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (hamstring, DNP)
Questionable
RB Fred Jackson (ankle, limited participation)
Probable
DT Brandon Mebane (groin, full participation)
WR Ricardo Lockette (shortness of breath, FP)
S Steven Terrell (hip, FP)
Cincinnati Bengals
Questionable
DE Wallace Gilberry (calf, LP)
S George Iloka (ankle, LP)
Probable
HB Jeremy Hill (knee, FP)
CB Adam Jones (groin, FP)
S Reggie Nelson (hamstring, FP)
