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Raiders, Gruden angling for RB Lynch, WR Crabtree to return

Jon Gruden and Marshawn Lynch are discussing a role for the 31-year-old running back with the Oakland Raiders this season.

Gruden told Bay Area News Group that he talked to Lynch about playing in 2018 after a productive finish last season.

"Right now, he's our leading ballcarrier. He's our back, and we're counting on him," Gruden said. "Hopefully we get an opportunity to work together. That's a man that has a lot of respect in this league as a player and I certainly have respect for him also."

Lynch is entering his 11th NFL season. He did not play in 2016 and was traded to the Raiders prior to last season, allowing him to play near his hometown.

In the final five games of the 2017 season, Lynch averaged 5.2 yards per carry. He finished with 201 carries, 891 yards and seven touchdowns. Lynch turns 32 one week before the 2018 NFL Draft.

Lynch, who has 10,003 rushing yards with the Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks and Raiders, is owed a $1 million roster bonus on March 18.

When pressed on keeping Lynch even after surveying the market in free agency, Gruden said "I don't know."

Gruden also hinted at keeping wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who is owed $7 million for 2018. There were rumblings late last season that Crabtree would not be around, but Gruden's return to the Raiders and his affinity for big receivers might spare Crabtree for one more year.

"I got to bump into Crabtree," Gruden said. "Hopefully we can get the best out of Crabtree and his career. There's some people in place, but we've got a number of issues that are concerning right now and we're focusing on them."

--Field Level Media