Marshawn Lynch’s injury and what it means for the Raiders

Running back Marshawn Lynch is out for at least a month with a groin injury, what does that mean for the Raiders offense?

On Friday Ian Rapoport told Raiders fans exactly what they did not want to hear. The best part of their football team, or at least the most enjoyable part to watch, will be sidelined for at least a month. Rapoport also reported that the Injured Reserve is looking like a likely destination for Beast Mode. Not good news.

The Raiders 1-5 start to the season has been brutal in every sense of the word. The one silver lining of the team was Lynch and his hard nosed running style. Regardless of whether the Raiders are winning by two scores, or down by four, Lynch runs the same way…through everyone that stands in his way.

His style embodies the Oakland spirit and gives fans something to cheer for even when the rest of the product on the field is laughable. Now, fans will be stuck watching Doug Martin and Jalen Richard attempt to fill Beast Mode’s shoes. Yeah, that should be fun huh?

Best case scenario is that Lynch is only out a month and he comes back to finish the season. Worst case, fans around the league just watched Lynch play his final NFL game against his former team in London in what was a horrible display by the Raiders.

Lynch literally carried the Raiders to their only victory of the season so far. That’s the Beast Mode fans love to watch. The guy that is bulldozing opponents even when the game is out of reach. He didn’t even get that opportunity against the Seahawks, perhaps due to the injury, but nonetheless.

If that was truly his swan song, it is extremely sad to see him go out that way. The pathetic effort displayed by the Silver and Black in London was not even remotely close to what Lynch deserves.

Looking at what it means for the offense is even more depressing. Typically I am more of an optimist, trying to find the positive in every situation. But I am struggling to identify a silver lining here.

Second string running back Doug Martin is now going to get the bulk of the carries. If this were 2015, maybe I would have some excitement but the Muscle Hamster has failed to put up more than 425 yards since that season. Who knows, maybe he will surprise us all, but I wouldn’t bank on it.

Unfortunately, Jalen Richard’s role will remain the same even though I am sure all of us fans would rather see what he can do with an expanded role. He will continue to be the pass-catching back when the Raiders are trailing, but Martin will get the ball as long as the game is within reach.

For fans that will most likely be curious, promising rookie Chris Warren is unable to rejoin the team. He was not on the final 53-man roster, so even though he was placed on the IR he is not allowed to rejoin the team at all this season.

There may be some opportunity for DeAndre Washington who is recovered from his knee surgery, but has been inactive all season. With Lynch out, Washington will likely be added to the active roster and could get some carries.

Realistically, none of these running backs will be on the roster heading into next season. Richard likely has the best chance of returning, but it still isn’t a high probability. In essence, the next ten weeks will be a chance for these guys to show other teams what they can do.

Back to Lynch to wrap up, there is a very strong possibility that he has played his final game for the Raiders. Lynch came out of retirement to join his hometown team with Super Bowl aspirations.

This team, with Lynch on the roster, never even looked like a threat to make the playoffs, let alone win a Super Bowl. Unfortunately for Lynch, he joined a franchise and team that decided to blow it up and start over. He deserved better, but what he did for the Silver and Black will not be forgotten. Like most failed relationships, the timing just wasn’t right.

Tip of the cap Marshawn, next stop…Canton.