The NFL's 2012 Pro Bowl rosters were announced Tuesday, and Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch was not included in the NFC's backfield, which currently features LeSean McCoy, Matt Forte and Frank Gore. Lynch still has a chance to make the trip to Hawaii, though, after being named a second alternate, according to the Seattle Times.
At least two players will have to bow out before Lynch is able to play, but Forte, for one, is highly unlikely to play. He hasn't suited up for a game since injuring his knee on Dec. 4, and the Bears just placed him on the Injured Reserve. Even if his knee were healthy, it's unlikely he'd risk further injury while seeking a new contract.
While the NFL doesn't release an official list of alternates, it seems likely the NFC's first alternate at running back is the Vikings' Adrian Peterson, who obviously isn't fit to play after suffering a torn ACL and MCL in Week 16. Like Lynch, Peterson has scored 13 total touchdowns, tied for second among NFC running backs behind McCoy's 20. It's possible the Falcons' Michael Turner is the first alternate, but he's scored just nine touchdowns while averaging fewer yards per game than either Peterson or Lynch. So with Forte and Peterson out, Lynch seems like a virtual lock to get an invitation.
Lynch started the season slow before shifting gears into his trademark "Beast Mode," scoring 11 total touchdowns in his last nine games while topping 100 rushing yards six times. Not even the vaunted 49ers' run defense could slow him down last week: he was the first runner in over two years to crack triple-digits against San Francisco, and the first to score a rushing touchdown all season. He's Seattle's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2005, and he'll add to his 1,118 rushing yards in Week 17.
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Jan 27
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