Leon

Washington

Washington was in on the first series as a passing down option. He’s likely to carve a significant role this year, albeit in a Kevin Faulk-type role that won’t yield great fantasy stats.

The fourth-rounder watched Derrick Blaylock and Cedric Houston play without distinction in the preseason opener. Washington figures to have a shot to split carries because he was drafted by the new Mangini regime.

Lynch was quickly ruled out for the entire day, so it sounds like a somewhat serious ailment. The injury occurred while Lynch was doing his normal warmups just prior to kickoff. Leon Washington and Justin Forsett will share the load today.

Beat writer Eric Williams is assuming free agent Justin Forsett won’t return, and allows that Tyrell Sutton could compete for the passing-down gig. Marshawn Lynch is Seattle’s early-down bellcow, with rookie Robert Turbin backing him up. Washington has the most explosiveness and held up well as a pass blocker last season, so he’s the heavy favorite for third-down work over Sutton.

The Seahawks talked up an increased role for Washington in August, but it never came to fruition thanks to Marshawn Lynch’s emergence as a true foundation back. Washington finished the season with just 53 rushes for 248 yards while adding 1,548 return yards. He figures to remain in the same limited role in 2012.

Given his second most carries of the season, Washington could do nothing against the league’s worst run defense. Expect Washington to remain invisible outside of special teams going forward.

Lynch was arrested after weaving lane to lane with two near collisions, and police say a chemical test showed his BAC was above the .08 limit. They declined to reveal the exact level. Lynch’s checkered history with the law makes him a likely candidate for suspension. His license was revoked in 2008 when he struck a woman with his car outside a Buffalo bar. He was also suspended three games in 2009 after getting slapped with a misdemeanor weapons charge. If/when Lynch misses games, rookie Robert Turbin and Leon Washington are in-house candidates to fill in.

Turbin’s rugged one-cut style has drawn rave reviews from the Seahawks’ coaching staff. He’ll be used to spell starter Marshawn Lynch and would be poised for a major workload if Lynch’s back acts up again later in the season. Leon Washington is just a third-down and change-of-pace option.

Marshawn Lynch and rookie Robert Turbin are both early-down pounders. With Justin Forsett gone, Washington has at least the third-down job to himself. He’s averaged an impressive 4.7 yards per carry during his six-year career.

With Marshawn Lynch (back) a last-second scratch, Washington actually started this game. He was the primary third-down back, showing the short-area quicks he’s known for. Still, it’s clear the Seahawks don’t see Washington as a feature back as he split work with Justin Forsett. Even if Lynch sits again next week, Washington won’t be a fantasy option against the Bengals’ stout defense.