Marshawn Lynch to get his first carries of the preseason on Friday

RENTON – Marshawn Lynch didn’t exactly get a running start to this season.

He held out the first week of training camp, didn’t travel to the team’s first preseason game in Denver and was on the field for all of three plays last week against San Diego, never touching the ball.

Expect Lynch to get at least a couple touches on Friday when the Seahawks host the Bears at CenturyLink Field.

“It’s time,” coach Pete Carroll said after the team’s 45-minute walkthrough practice on Thursday. “It’s time for him to get some carries and get involved a little bit.”

It’s the third preseason game, which is as close as NFL teams get to a dress rehearsal. Most starters will play the entirety of the first half and many into the third quarter.

Don’t expect that much from Lynch. He has 16 carries – total – over the previous three years in the preseason.

Seattle will have some other starters who can be expected to play. Left tackle Russell Okung has two weeks of practice under his belt and could be on the field after coming back from foot surgery, while strong safety Kam Chancellor is ready to play after returning from hip surgery.

“Ready to play some football,” Carroll said. “He may get out there.”

Same goes for Korey Toomer and maybe even Malcolm Smith, the Super Bowl MVP who saw his first time on the practice field this week after returning from offseason ankle surgery.

“They’re ready to play some football, which is great,” Carroll said of the two linebackers.

The Seahawks are hoping middle linebacker Bobby Wagner will return to practice next week. He has been out for nearly a month with a strained hamstring while another linebacker, Bruce Irvin, is being targeted for a return the first week of September.

Receiver Bryan Walters, who excelled as a kick returner last week against San Diego, is unlikely to play because of sore ribs.