Carroll says Lynch won't return to Seahawks practice this week

SEATTLE – It looks like the Seattle Seahawks are going to get their money’s worth out of Christine Michael.

Coach Pete Carroll told ESPN on Monday that Marshawn Lynch won’t return to practice this week as he continues to rehab from surgery last month.

"It's just a race against time right now," Carroll said. "I know he's going for it, so that's what's important."

Several reports have indicated that Lynch is rehabbing in the Bay Area with an MMA coach.

"He hasn't been in a fight for such a long time," Carroll said. "He's been in and out. It's been such a distraction for him. I'm sure he's just trying to get to the top of his game so when he comes back, he can help out."

The Seahawks signed Michael – their former second-round draft pick whom they’d traded to Dallas earlier this season – last week to shore up the running game.

He played well in his first game back, picking up 84 yards on 16 carries.

The Seahawks play host to the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, then travel to Arizona to play the Cardinals in the regular-season finale.