Robert Turbin

Seahawks Notes: Lynch, Clowney, Brown

We’re all on Beast Mode watch. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that Marshawn Lynch‘s physical “went well and as expected.” That was naturally a major hurdle as the Seahawks look to bring back the beloved veteran running back.

We learned earlier today that Lynch was set to meet with his former organization, and coach Pete Carroll was pretty candid about the team’s interest in the back.

“He’s been working really hard,” Carroll said (via ESPN’s Brady Henderson). “He’s really excited about the chance to do something helping out, and I think it’s freakin’ great if he could get out there and tote the ball for us. The circumstances rolled just at this time, and he could have four or five games left in him. Maybe that’s what we need.

“He’s had plenty of time to be working and get ready in case something came up, and I’m anxious to see him when we get him here. There’s a lot of history here that’s great history. There was nobody that ever amplified the kind of mentality and toughness that we like to play with, so if we get a chance to get the Beast back on the field, we’ll see how that works out.”

As we wait for the inevitable signing, let’s check out some more notes out of Seattle…

  • With the team’s running back corps all but depleted, the Seahawks have already added one former player today: Robert Turbin. As Henderson writes, the running back’s familiarity and chemistry were major factors in his addition. In fact, Turbin was a part of Russell Wilson‘s wedding party back in 2016, and the two were road roommates during Turbin’s time in Seattle.
  • Carroll expects defensive end Jadeveon Clowney to be on the field for Sunday’s showdown with the 49ers. “I think JD’s playing,” the head coach said (via The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar on Twitter). “I don’t think there’s any question he’s gonna play.” Clowney has been dealing with a core-muscle injury since Week 10, and the ailment kept him out of the lineup vs. the Cardinals. During his first season in Seattle, Clowney has compiled 20 tackles, three sacks, and four forced fumbles.
  • Left tackle Duane Brown had surgery to trim his meniscus today, reports Rapoport (via Twitter). The operation generally has a two- or three-week recovery time, meaning the veteran could be back at some point during the playoffs. The 34-year-old has spent the past three seasons with the Seahawks, and he started each of his 12 games this season.

Seahawks To Sign RB Robert Turbin

The Seahawks have added one of their former running backs…but it’s not Marshawn Lynch (at least not yet). NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports (via Twitter) that Seattle is expected to sign running back Robert Turbin.

Those hoping for a Beast Mode reunion shouldn’t fear, however. Garafolo notes that the team is “still working through” Lynch’s meeting and physical. We heard earlier today that both the organization and the former Pro Bowler were “optimistic” that a deal would ultimately get done.

As for Turbin, he was among the running backs that worked out for the Seahawks earlier today. That grouping also included C.J. Anderson, who told ESPN’s Josina Anderson that he won’t be signing with the organization (Twitter link).

Turbin spent the first three seasons of his career in Seattle, including the Seahawks’ Super Bowl-winning campaign. The 30-year-old’s last NFL gig was with the Colts, who he played for between 2016 and 2018. Turbin ran for seven touchdowns during his first season in Indy, but he was limited to only eight games during his final two years with the team.

Following injuries to Chris CarsonC.J. Prosise, and Rashaad Penny, the Seahawks are in desperate need of backfield help. The organization is clearly valuing familiarity when it comes to adding reinforcement at the position.

Seahawks To Meet With Robert Turbin

Will it be Beast Mode or Bobby Turbo? In addition to meeting with Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks will also huddle up with running back Robert Turbin, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. 

[RELATED: Seahawks To Meet With Marshawn Lynch]

Turbin, 30, has not played in a game in over a year. He was last with the Seahawks during the 2014 season, serving as one of Lynch’s backups. From 2016-2018, he was with the Colts – his best work came in ’16, when he found the end zone seven times. It was a breakout year for him as he did not score more than one TD in any other season.

Turbin met with the Raiders in April, but did not sign with Jon Gruden‘s squad. He also auditioned for Seattle earlier this month, alongside Alfred Blue.

Seahawks Work Out Robert Turbin, Alfred Blue

Rashaad Penny‘s IR placement has made Chris Carson the sole focal point of the Seattle backfield, but the 11-3 team is looking at potential supplementary options.

The Seahawks brought in former backfield cog Robert Turbin and ex-Texan Alfred Blue for workouts, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Carson logged 24 carries Sunday against the Panthers, with backups C.J. Prosise and Travis Homer combining for seven. Penny had earned a bigger role in the backfield as the season progressed, due partially to Carson’s fumbling issues.

Now 30, Turbin has not played in a game in over a year. He was last with the Seahawks during the 2014 season, serving as one of Marshawn Lynch‘s backups. Bobby Turbo was a Colt from 2016-18, his best Indianapolis work coming in a seven-touchdown 2016 season. He did not score more than one TD in each of his other six NFL seasons. He met with the Raiders in April.

Blue, 28, has only played for the Texans. He also has not suited up in a 2019 game. Last season, the longtime backup/occasional starter averaged 3.3 yards per carry.

Raiders To Host RB Robert Turbin

The Raiders are scheduled to work out free agent running back Robert Turbin on Thursday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Oakland is in the process of revamping its backfield, as both Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin are currently in free agent limbo. Last week, the Raiders agreed to a one-year deal with Isaiah Crowell, who looks to be the favorite for early-down touches. Restricted free agent Jalen Richard — tendered at the second-round level — will likely handle passing down work, while DeAndre Washington, Chris Warren, and James Butler comprise the rest of Oakland’s running back depth chart.

Turbin, 29, started the 2018 campaign on the Colts’ suspended list after being handed a four-game performance-enhancing drug ban. The former Seahawk, Brown, and Cowboy was activated in October, but didn’t have much a role behind Marlon Mack, who’d taken hold of Indianapolis’ starting running job during the first month of the season. Turbin appeared in only two games and posted just four carries before the Colts cut him in early November.

If signed by the Raiders, Turbin would serve in a veteran backup role and likely wouldn’t be counted on as a focal point of Oakland’s offense. He hasn’t topped 50 attempts or four yards per carry since 2014, and averaged a paltry 3.1 yards per touch during his three-year run with the Colts. On the plus side, Football Outsiders in 2016 charted Turbin as one of the more effective running backs who handled fewer than 100 carries.

Colts Cut RB Robert Turbin

The Colts made four second-round picks in this year’s draft but have not had much time to evaluate one of those selections. That will change Sunday after Friday’s activation of defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis.

Additionally, Indianapolis added another front-seven player in promoting linebacker Skai Moore from its practice squad. To make room on their roster, the Colts cut veteran running back Robert Turbin and wide receiver Steve Ishmael.

Turbin spent parts of three seasons with the Colts, playing in 23 games with the team since 2016. However, Marlon Mack‘s return and the late-round additions of Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins didn’t leave much room for the seventh-year player. His season delayed by a suspension, Turbin played in just two 2018 games and received just four carries.

Set to turn 30 next month, Turbin has played for four teams — the Seahawks, Browns and Cowboys coming before a lengthy Colts stay. His most relevant NFL work came for the 2016 Colts, with whom he rushed for seven of his nine career touchdowns. Turbin, though, hasn’t exceeded three yards per carry since that season. He hasn’t topped 4.0 in a full season since 2015.

The Colts designated Lewis as an IR-return player last week and look set to deploy him for the first time on Sunday. Lewis went on IR because of a foot injury. The Colts view Lewis, who played defensive end with the Buckeyes, as a three technique in the long-term, per SI.com’s Albert Breer (on Twitter).

Colts Activate RB Robert Turbin

The Colts have activated running back Robert Turbin in advance of Thursday night’s game against the Patriots, the team announced. In related moves, linebacker Skai Moore and cornerback Lenzy Pipkins were promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster and defensive ends Tarell Basham and Al-Quadin Muhammad were waived. 

Turbin, initially, was in line for a significant role in the Colts’ backfield this year. Those plans were derailed this summer when he was hit with a four-game suspension for performance enhancing substances.

The veteran returns to a backfield that is headlined by Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines, but he offers fresh legs on a short week for the Colts. It would not be surprising to see Turbin involved in the Colts rushing attack in his first game back.

For his career, Turbin has 1,344 yards and nine scores off of 351 carries. He also has 85 catches for 685 yards and three scores. Those totals were put on hold in Week 6 of last season when he suffered a season-ending elbow injury, but Bobby Turbo will now have an opportunity to reassert himself.

Basham’s departure comes fairly early for a third-round pick. Chosen on Day 2 of the 2017 draft, Basham has played in just one of Indianapolis’ four games this season. He suited up for 15 in 2017 but didn’t start any of those games. He recorded two sacks and forced a fumble as a rookie but only made seven tackles.

The Colts now have 2018 second-rounder Kemoko Turay as their only backup defensive end. Though, Jihad Ward was drafted to play end as a Raider. Still, it should be expected the Colts will make a move to add depth at this spot after waiving two of their backups.

Ingram, Edelman To Return In Week 5

As we approach Week 5 of the NFL season, several NFL players are returning from four-game bans. As noted by Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter), that list includes notables such as Saints running back Mark Ingram, Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict, Cowboys defensive tackle David Irving, Chargers defensive tackle Corey Liuget, Colts running back Robert Turbin, Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley, Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith

Players do not count against a team’s roster max while suspended, so clubs will have to make room for these players before adding them for Week 5. There will be some tough decisions to make, but the upside is clear in most of these cases, particularly when it comes to offensive weapons like Ingram and Edelman or defensive pillars like Burfict and Irving.

Alvin Kamara should remain the focal point of the Saints’ running game, but the return of Ingram will give opposing defenses something else to think about. And, as we saw in the first three weeks of the Patriots’ season, Edelman has been sorely missed.

Suspension notes: Winston, Turbin, Colts, Darby

More information continues to trickle out about the suspensions handed down this week. One part of the Jameis Winston case that flew a bit under the radar was the involvement of Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby. When the allegations against Winston first surfaced last November, Darby came to Winston’s defense and insisted that Winston was innocent and said he was in the car during the Uber ride in question.

During the NFL’s investigation that followed, Darby reportedly backtracked. He told investigators he “no longer recalled” the Uber ride, per ProFootballTalk. Despite his initial defense of Winston and his now apparently conflicting statements, it looks like Darby is in the clear. An NFL spokesman told Aaron Kasinitz of PennLive that Darby “will not face punishment” from the league (Twitter link).

Here’s more on the recent suspensions:

  • Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star suspects that the Colts have known about Robert Turbin‘s four game suspension for a while. He notes that the team has deflected from talking about him all offseason and that the Colts have kept him away from the media (Twitter link).
  • Turbin’s suspension will cost him $235K according to Mike Chappell of Fox59. Chappell says “no one should understate the possible impact of Turbin’s absence” and writes that the Colts were counting on him to fill a big role with Frank Gore no longer with the team.
  • Between his base salary, portions of his signing bonus he’ll have to pay back, and loss of roster bonuses, Winston’s three game suspension will end up costing him a total of $1.14MM according to former NFL agent and current CBS Sports analyst Joel Corry (Twitter link). The total could rise to $1.42MM depending on how the roster bonuses are calculated, he notes.

Robert Turbin Facing PED Suspension

Colts running back Robert Turbin is facing a four-game suspension after testing positive for performance-enhancing substances. Turbin confirmed this news on his Twitter account.

Turbin is entering the second season of his two-year Indianapolis deal and is now part of a Colts running back contingent that doesn’t include three-year starter Frank Gore. Turbin, 28, will be shelved for at least a fourth of the Colts’ games after playing in just six last season.

Gore’s absence clears the way for Marlon Mack to have a much bigger role. However, Mike Wells of ESPN.com tweets Turbin operated as the team’s first-unit back this offseason, doing so despite his 2017 season ending early because of an arm injury. Mack underwent shoulder surgery this offseason, per Mike Chappell of Fox 59 (Twitter link). The former Seahawks back rushed for seven touchdowns in 2016 with the Colts but scored just one last year and saw just 23 carries.

The Colts made multiple additions to their backfield on Day 3 of this draft, so this suspension likely puts Turbin’s roster spot in jeopardy. Indianapolis selected Nyheim Hines out of North Carolina State in the fourth round and added Jordan Wilkins out of Ole Miss in the fifth. The Colts also house Turbin’s former Seahawks teammate, the now-well-traveled Christine Michael, and 2016 UDFA Josh Ferguson.