Marshawn Lynch still sitting. Time for concern?

Marshawn Lynch was a spectator at Seahawks practice Tuesday after not being present the day before while having treatment for back spasms. Lynch also didn’t practice last week after the spasms crept up on the flight back from the preseason game in Denver, and he sat out Friday’s game in Kansas City. So far, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has said nothing to indicate that there is anything serious going on with Lynch, but still, missing two weeks of practice (Carroll said Lynch will not play in Thursday’s preseason game) is nothing to take lightly, particularly for a player who missed a game last year with back spasms.

“We rested him a couple of weeks to make sure he is OK,” Carroll said Monday. “He has back conditions come up in the past so we’re just making sure we do the right things and taking all of the time we need.”

Now before anyone worries too much, it’s worth noting that veteran running backs, especially ones as important to their team as Lynch, don’t play much in the preseason. The likely scenario is that he returns to practice next week and plays in the opener, but still, for a running back as physical as Lynch, and for someone who missed a game last year with similar back issues, this will at the very least be something to monitor throughout the season.

In other injury news, Matt Flynn (elbow) threw more than he did a day earlier, which seemingly would keep him on track to play Thursday. Receiver Doug Baldwin (hamstring) remained sidelined.