Football

Seahawks RB Lynch could return in 3-4 weeks — Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch had successful sports hernia surgery Wednesday and could return to action in 3-4 weeks, coach Pete Carroll said during his weekly press conference Wednesday. While Carroll didn’t rule out that Lynch could be done for the season, he said doctors are “very optimistic” that they fixed Lynch’s issues and that he will have a chance to return later in the season. Carroll said that the surgery was “related” to a sports hernia issue. Carroll said Lynch will remain on the active roster for now with the hope that he will return.

Despite fewer reviews, NFL games running longer — If any fans are planning to serve their Thanksgiving meal after an NFL game, don’t bother rushing the turkey to the table — games are stretching out longer. The NFL always aims for games to last about three hours. Through 11 weeks of this season, the average time of a game has been 3 hours, 9 minutes, 26 seconds. In 2014, the average game was 3:05:46 over the same period. The league says reviews have actually gone down, but they are taking longer. That’s one reason for the longer games, along with other referee discussions — many not involving replay — and major injuries.

Gifford’s family says CTE found in his brain — The family of Pro Football Hall of Famer Frank Gifford says signs of the degenerative disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy were found in his brain after his death. In a statement released through NBC News on Wednesday, the family said he had “experienced firsthand” symptoms associated with CTE but did not offer specifics. Gifford died of natural causes at his Connecticut home in August at age 84.

Rams’ Bailey has surgery after being shot — Suspended St. Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey was shot and critically wounded as he and four other people were sitting in a car outside a home in the Miami area, police said Wednesday. Bailey had surgery for injuries that have not been disclosed by the Rams or the authorities and police said he was in critical but stable condition.

— From wire reports