Pete Carroll met with the media on Wednesday at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center ahead of his team's first practice in preparation for Sunday's Week 16 matchup with the division rival St. Louis Rams.
Here's what the Seattle Seahawks head coach had to say about injuries to Marshawn Lynch (abdomen), Kam Chancellor (pelvis), Russell Okung (calf), Jordan Hill (toe), and Anthony McCoy (knee/ankle):
1. Marshawn Lynch Is Doing Well, But Won't Return This Week
After undergoing surgery in late November, Marshawn Lynch (abdomen) continues to rehab away from team headquarters and will not make it back in time for this week's game against the Rams.
"I understand from our report just recently that he's really doing well and he's really working hard and when he's ready to get back to football he'll jump in," Carroll said.
Carroll said the training program Lynch is going through is similar to the work the running back does to get ready for the regular season.
"What he's going through right now is the basically the program that he always goes through in the offseason," Carroll said. "This is how he gets ready and gets in shape and I think this is what's best for him. I think it's a good choice for him to be where he is."
It's unknown whether or not Lynch will be back in time for the team's regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals next week, but Carroll said "there's a chance" when asked if he's counting on Lynch being back in time for the postseason.
"This is something that's possible for him to return, it's possible for him to return," Carroll said. "Fortunately, we're going to get to play longer and the more we do that the better his chances to get back."
2. Kam Chancellor Has Started To Run, On An Anti-Gravity Treadmill
Pro Bowl strong safety Kam Chancellor, who injured his pelvis in Week 14 against the Baltimore Ravens and missed the Seahawks' game against the Cleveland Browns this past Sunday as a result, has started to run on an alterG anti-gravity treadmill, Carroll said.
"He's feeling better," Carroll said. "He's doing the alterG, that means he's starting to run. He was so uncomfortable that he couldn't do anything last week. We'll see, he's optimistic. He wants to try to get back and play this week. We'll see what happens."
3. Russell Okung Could Be A Gameday Decision
Earlier this week, Carroll said the injury Russell Okung suffered in this past weekend's win over the Browns isn't expected to be a long-term issue, but the left tackle could wind up being a gameday decision for the Seahawks' Week 16 matchup with the Rams.
"He's going to see what happens as we go through the week," Carroll said. "He's not feeling too bad, but he does have a little calf problem that we're just trying to work through. Unless we define something really clearly on Friday, I would think we go all the way to game-time."
4 & 5. Jordan Hill & Anthony McCoy Won't Practice Wednesday
Defensive tackle Jordan Hill, who's missed the past three games with a toe injury, and tight end Anthony McCoy, who was held out against the Browns while nursing an ankle injury, will not practice to open Week 16. However, Carroll has said the pair has a chance to make it back for this weekend's game.
"They're working back, but not yet," Carroll said.
The Seahawks returned to CenturyLink Field for their Week 15 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, with all the holiday excitement from the 12s to locker room captured by team photographer Rod Mar.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, sporting camo Bose headphones, pauses for a selfie with fans before heading back to the locker room after early pregame warmups.
Receiver Tyler Lockett only slows down to acknowledge 12s, as he did when sprinting back to the locker room after getting loose 90 minutes before kickoff.
Defensive coordinator Kris Richard greets cornerback Richard Sherman in the locker room before the defense took the field for pregame warmups.
Linebacker K.J. Wright carefully applies tape to his fingers in the locker room before the game.
Defensive lineman Brandon Mebane addresses the Seahawks moments before they left their locker room to take the field against the visiting Cleveland Browns.
Defensive end Michael Bennett went to the "dark side" before the game, donning a Darth Vader mask for his pregame introduction.
Cornerback Richard Sherman salutes 12s all over CenturyLink Field as he is introduced.
Safety Kelcie McCray, making his first start, wasted no time in making his presence known, stopping Cleveland's Duke Johnson, Jr. for a one-yard loss on the game's opening play from scrimmage.
Seahawks receiver Kevin Smith tries to make a falling, juggling catch after taking contact from a Cleveland defender while the ball was in the air.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and assistant receivers coach Nate Carroll react after a pass intended for receiver Kevin Smith fell incomplete after contact between Smith and a Cleveland defender.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson readies to throw a three-yard touchdown pass to receiver Doug Baldwin while lineman Patrick Lewis and Justin Britt provide a clean pocket.
Receiver Doug Baldwin celebrates his first touchdown of the game with Seahawks mascot "Blitz".
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell congratulates receiver Doug Baldwin after Seattle's first touchdown of the game.
Seahawks fans brought the noise in an attempt to rattle Cleveland quarterback Johnny Manziel.
Seahawks defensive lineman Brandon Mebane breaks through to sack Cleveland quarterback Johnny Manziel in the first quarter.
Seahawks defensive lineman Brandon Mebane reacts to his sack by breaking out his signature "belly roll" as teammate Michael Bennett joins the celebration.
The Sea Gals were in holiday spirits for the final game before Christmas.
Seahawks running back Bryce Brown looks for a hole in the red zone.
Seahawks running back Christine Michael runs over Cleveland's Donte Whitner in the second quarter.
These fans in the south end zone found ways to stay both spirited and warm, dressed in holiday hats and sweaters for the game.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson's first touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin went to the left side, and in the second quarter the duo paired up on the right. Wilson threw over blitzing Cleveland linebacker Karlos Dansby to Baldwin for a six-yard touchdown.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin outraces Cleveland's Johnson Bademosi to the end zone for his second touchdown of the game and his tenth touchdown in four games.
At halftime, CenturyLink Field and the cityscape looked lovely, as a sun break showed off all of Seattle's beauty.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, with plenty of room to throw thanks to the protection of lineman Alvin Bailey, Justin Britt and Patrick Lewis on the left side, fires a pass to a streaking Tyler Lockett for a 27-yard touchdown.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett hauls in a 27-yard touchdown reception over Cleveland's Johnson Bademosi at the beginning of the fourth quarter, giving Seattle a 27-10 lead.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll reacts after Russell Wilson connected with Tyler Lockett for a 27-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
12s. They come in all shapes and sizes. And hats. And sunglasses.
Seahawks running back Bryce Brown breaks up the middle for a first down. In place of injured Marshawn Lynch and Thomas Rawls, the Seahawks gained 182 yards rushing in the victory over Cleveland.
Quarterback Russell Wilson escapes the pocket for a 16-yard gain in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka kicked three field goals in the 30-13 win over the Browns.
Seahawks defensive backs Marcus Burley and Kelcie McCray smile on the Seattle sidelines near the end of the game. Burley had an interception and McCray led the Seahawks in tackles.
After the game, quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Johnny Manziel met near midfield.
Michael Bennett, who often refers to himself as "Black Santa", got into the holiday spirit with the Sea Gals after the game.
Michael Bennett dances to the cheers of the 12s as he makes his way to the locker room after the game.
Head coach Pete Carroll address the Seahawks after the victory, which clinched the team a playoff spot for the fourth consecutive season.
Michael Bennet, left, urged Seahawks vice-president of football administration Matt Thomas into joining the team for it's post-game breakdown in the middle of the locker room.
Quarterback Russell Wilson addresses the media after the game. Wilson threw three touchdown passes with no interceptions for the fifth straight game, the first time an NFL quarterback has ever done so.
Well after the game, CenturyLink Field glowed brightly in holiday and Seahawks colors as the December moon shone overhead.
