RENTON — Marshawn Lynch may have his challenges relating to the media, but there’s a chance he’s about to add a teammate he has no issues conversing with.
Lynch could be on the verge of a reunion with a good friend and former teammate, as the Seattle Seahawks took steps Tuesday toward potentially adding running back Fred Jackson to their stable.
Jackson, an eight-year veteran who was released by the Buffalo Bills on Monday, visited the Seahawks on Tuesday. He and Lynch broke into the NFL together in 2007 with the Bills and were teammates until Lynch was traded to Seattle in 2010.
“I know Marshawn and him are very good friends and get along. Other than that, that didn’t feed into this,” said Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, who noted that the relationship between Jackson and Seattle’s reclusive star running back was not the reason for the team’s interest in Jackson. “He’s just a heck of a football player who might be able to find a role.”
Jackson, 34, spent each of his previous eight seasons in Buffalo. The 6-foot-1, 216-pound native of Fort Worth, Texas, was originally undrafted out of NCAA Division III Coe College, playing three seasons at lower levels, both indoors and in Europe. He was picked up by Buffalo in 2007, and since then he’s gained 5,646 yards on 1,279 carries. Last season he ran for 525 yards on 141 carries and added 66 catches for 501 yards. His biggest season was 2009 when he broke the 1,000-yard barrier as Buffalo’s primary ball carrier — beating out Lynch for the starting job.
However, Jackson found himself sliding down the depth chart in Buffalo following the offseason acquisition of LeSean McCoy from Philadelphia. Jackson, who was scheduled to make $2.35 million with the Bills this season, was released Monday in a salary-cap move.
Carroll, speaking to the media following Tuesday’s practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, was quick to emphasize that the Seahawks hadn’t signed Jackson yet.
“This is a visit for us,” Carroll said. “This isn’t a signing, this is a visit for us. We have tremendous respect for this player. He’s obviously got a wealth of background. He’s tough, he’s smart, he’s sharp. We need to see where he is at 34 years old and what he looks like.
“Those of you who have already made the decision about what’s going on, we have not made that decision at all at this point,” Carroll continued. “But we love that he’s here and we’re trying to just get our ducks in a row for what may be necessary later on.”
Carroll said Jackson would undergo a physical Tuesday.
Seattle would already seem to have a crowded backfield. In addition to Lynch, the Seahawks also have Robert Turbin, a fourth-round selection in the 2012 draft, and Christine Michael, a second rounder in 2013. Turbin and Michael have been vying for the title of Lynch’s eventual successor, but having mixed results. Between the two of them they are averaging a paltry 2.9 yards per carry in the preseason.
Carroll revealed Tuesday that Turbin suffered a sprained ankle during Saturday’s 16-15 preseason victory at San Diego. Carroll had no timetable for Turbin’s return, but implied that the interest to Jackson wasn’t necessarily due to Turbin’s injury.
“It was an obvious attraction when we saw (Jackson) released because he’s such a terrific kid and football player,” Carroll said. “That’s all we’ve ever known about him.
“He’s been a very adept pass catcher, he’s a good pass protector, he’s always been a good runner — he had a big run in the game last week, had a 40-yard run and scored a touchdown,” Carroll added about what Jackson could potentially bring to the Seahawks. “But he’s been a very adept pass receiver. I think that’s something maybe he could fit in if we went that way with it.”
It was yet to be determined whether the Seahawks would attempt to make a move on Jackson prior to Thursday’s preseason finale against Oakland.
Extra points
Starting free safety Earl Thomas shed his red no-contact jersey for the first time Tuesday and practiced at full speed. Carroll said Thomas, who is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, will still sit out Thursday’s preseason finale. … Starting left tackle Russell Okung, who was held out of Thursday’s game for precautionary purposes because of a sore shoulder, was back at practice Tuesday. … Receiver Chris Matthews was also back at practice Tuesday. Matthews had been out since suffering a shoulder injury in Seattle’s preseason opener against Denver. … Linebacker Mike Morgan joined Turbin on the sidelines Tuesday. Morgan suffered a pulled hamstring in Saturday’s game at San Diego and will sit out Thursday’s contest. … Back-up quarterback Tarvaris Jackson continues to make progress from the ankle injury he suffered against Denver. Carroll remains hopeful Jackson will be back for the regular season opener Sept. 13 at St. Louis. … Carroll said there were no new developments regarding the holdout of strong safety Kam Chancellor. Chancellor’s holdout reached 33 days Tuesday.
Check out Nick Patterson’s Seattle Sidelines blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/seattlesidelines, and follow him on Twitter at @NickHPatterson.
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