Seahawks call assault accusation made against Lynch 'bogus'
The Seattle Seahawks say accusations that star running back Marshawn Lynch was involved in an assault and damage of personal property are "bogus."
In a statement Tuesday morning the team says it has "the utmost respect for the investigative process," but that after speaking with Lynch the Seahawks concluded the allegations were without merit.
The Bellevue Police Department released a statement Monday saying the alleged incident took place around 2:30 a.m. Sunday and that Lynch is alleged to have been involved. Bellevue police are investigating.
The incident was reported by a female about 12 hours after it allegedly took place at a downtown Bellevue apartment. Police say there was no domestic violence or sexual assault involved in the allegation.
The police department had no new information to release on Tuesday.
"We have a full-time detective working this case and that detective has made significant progress in investigating these allegations fully and thoroughly," police public information officer Seth Tyler said in an email.
Head coach Pete Carroll didn't offer much further comment on the matter.
"I'll just go along with the statement that we made for right now and support whatever the statement was from the club," Carroll said. "It's not a topic for us right now. We're not talking about it."
Lynch took part in practice Tuesday. Lynch has ramped up his workload since reporting a week late to training camp following a contract dispute.
NOTES: DT Jimmy Staten (hamstring) is making progress "but still a ways off," according to Carroll. The team hopes he can return before the end of the preseason. ... LB Malcolm Smith (ankle), LB Bobby Wagner (hamstring) and LB Korey Toomer (hamstring) are all closing in on returning to the practice field. All could be back within the next week.