Seattle's latest "unofficial" depth chart, released Tuesday, lists RB Christine Michael as the starter ahead of RB Thomas Rawls. We'll see how much that means by the weekend and in the 1st game, but it does seem to back up HC Pete Carroll's previous talk about "easing" Rawls in as he comes back from last season's ankle fracture. Rawls logged just 2 preseason carries, both in the 4th exhibition. We'll look for further signals as the weekend draws near and we're all finalizing our Week 1 lineups. If the depth chart doesn't change -- or Carroll doesn't tell us otherwise -- than Michael's looking like the better Week 1 bet.

Seahawks HC Pete Carroll suggested that RB Thomas Rawls (ankle) might be eased back in during Sunday's opener against the Dolphins. "You don’t want to rush him. This is his second preseason game in a sense, as far as relative to the other guys. So we’ll see how he does," Carroll said. "I’d love for him to carry the ball quite a bit in this game, and then we’ll know where we stand going into the next week. It’s just really bringing him along properly and carefully. We want to make sure we take care of him." Rawls has been a full practice participant for the past couple of weeks but carried just twice in his lone preseason appearance. It's possible that his Week 1 workload hinges on how he's feeling and performing early in the game, but we're expecting RB Christine Michael to be heavily involved regardless. It makes Rawls a volatile Week 1 option, but a pristine matchup at home against Miami should land him in most season-long starting lineups.

Seahawks insider Bob Condotta confirms that Thomas Rawls remains Seattle's starting RB. "That's never been in dispute that he's the starter when healthy," Condotta writes. The "when healthy" qualifier is important. Rawls is returning from a serious ankle injury, has only been practicing for a few weeks and probably won't get any preseason reps. Don't bank on a workhorse role early on this season. And if Rawls falters, RB Christine Michael looks ready to take on a bigger role.

Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said Wednesday that he has "no hesitation saying [RB Thomas Rawls] will play in season opener." Rawls put in his 1st full practice of the offseason on Sunday but won't play in Seattle's 3rd exhibition. We'll see about the 4th. He remains the team's lead back but is a candidate to be eased in a bit at the start of the season, especially with RB Christine Michael looking so good.

Seahawks HC Pete Carroll sounded serious about including RB Christine Michael in the offense after Saturday's preseason opener, calling him part of "a little one-two punch that we're excited about" with Thomas Rawls. Per ESPN.com, Carroll added about Michael: "He’s serious about the consistency. He’s taken great pride in the way he’s brought it day in and day out all throughout the offseason and into camp and all of that. And he’s an explosive, dynamic athlete. So we’re just going to keep going with him." Talent has never been the issue. Michael has reportedly had problems with doing the work and learning playbooks. If he's ready to buckle down, though, the 25-year-old makes for an interesting late flier in a run-heavy Seattle offense. Carroll also said that RB C.J. Prosise is expected to return this week and that "we'll see where he fits into it."

RB Christine Michael flopped in his 1st stint with the Seahawks. It's been a different story the 2nd time around. Michael averaged 4.9 yards on 39 carries over last year's final 3 regular-season games. Then he toted it 21 times for 70 yards in the playoff win over the Vikings. Now, "the Seahawks are more confident that Michael can be trusted to play a significant role," according to ESPN's Sheil Kapadia. He could get that shot if RB Thomas Rawls can't get healthy. Michael has been getting the majority of the 1st-team reps with Rawls still on the PUP list (and C.J. Prosise sidelined). Michael remains just a late-round flier for now, but Seattle's backfield is worth keeping a close eye on.

The Seahawks have re-signed RB Christine Michael.  The former 2nd-round pick spent the first 2 seasons of his career in Seattle before being dealt to Dallas this summer.  He's obviously familiar with the offense and could have a role against the Browns this Sunday with Bryce Brown and Fred Jackson as the Seahawks' only other healthy RBs.  Despite the plus matchup, this will be a tough backfield to count on in Week 15 fantasy lineups.

The Cowboys have released RB Christine Michael.  A much-heralded prospect with impressive measurables, Michael has now been cast off by 2 teams in his first 3 years in the NFL.  He's still only 25 and will get another shot elsewhere, but Michael seems unlikely to ever cash in on his physical talent.  Dallas moves forward with Darren McFadden, Rod Smith and Trey Williams at RB.

The Cowboys will "consider" promoting RB Christine Michael to the starting lineup during their Week 6 bye, according to ESPN's Ed Werder.  An honest look at the tape and the numbers will show that RB Joseph Randle isn't getting the job done.  He's averaging 3.9 yards per carry and rarely getting more than what's blocked.  Michael remains completely unproven at the NFL level but is bigger and more athletic than Randle.  We'd love to see what he can do behind Dallas' offensive line.  Michael is worth grabbing now in all fantasy leagues.

Dallas RB Christine Michael is active for tonight’s game in New Orleans. Michael, acquired just before the regular season, will play his first game as a Cowboy. He handled some 1^st team reps in practice this week and might see more than just a few touches. Joseph Randle scored 3 TDs last week but posted negative yardage in the 2^nd half of a loss to Atlanta.

Cowboys insider Rick Gosselin believes Cowboys RB Christine Michael will play "very soon."  He's been a healthy scratch the first 3 weeks after being traded to Dallas just before the start of the season.  RB Joseph Randle turned in a big 1st half against the Falcons last week, but the running game stalled in the 2nd.  Gosselin believes Michael can give the Cowboys the between-the-tackles thumper they're missing.  He's worth stashing in fantasy leagues.

According to Adam Schefter, the Cowboys will trade a conditional draft pick to Seattle for RB Christine Michael. We can't expect Michael to take over the Dallas backfield right away, but the Cowboys' activity in trade rumors recently indicates they weren't comfy with their previous stable. If Michael finally delivers on the talent that made him a 2nd-round pick, Dallas' elite O-line and strong pass offense would put him in a terrific situation. We've moved Joseph Randle way down the RB rankings and Darren McFadden down slightly, with Michael sitting slightly behind D-Mac for now. Michael's worth adding ASAP in any but the shallowest of leagues. The Dallas backfield is still evolving. Not much changes in Seattle, meanwhile, where Michael was clearly on the outs. Fred Jackson stands as the obvious handcuff for Marshawn Lynch, but don't target him until late in your draft. Lynch has stayed remarkably healthy in recent seasons.

ESPN's Terry Blount believes RB Christine Michael is on the roster bubble heading to training camp.  The 2013 2nd-rounder boasts an elite combination of size and athleticism but has yet to carve out a significant role in Seattle.  Michael has totaled just 52 carries for 254 scoreless yards through 2 NFL seasons.  Blount adds that the 'Hawks are high on undrafted rookie RB Thomas Rawls, who could push Michael off the roster.  "He needs to do everything right in camp or he might find his days in Seattle have ended," Blount writes of Michael. "Maybe the Seahawks could trade him for a late-round pick if they decide Rawls is the better option."  A fresh start elsewhere might be best for Michael.  He's still worth holding in keeper and dynasty leagues.

Seahawks HC Pete Carroll told ESPN's Terry Blount that RB Christine Michael will get ample opportunity to prove himself this spring and summer. RB Marshawn Lynch regularly sits out the voluntary offseason workouts and sees sparse use in training camp and the preseason. Backup RB Robert Turbin had offseason hip surgery that might limit him into the preseason. That leaves Michael as the guy for a while. "He wants to be a front-line back and he has tremendous talent. We’ll see how it goes,” Carroll said. “This is a great time for him to settle in and get all the featured reps. He’ll have a camp that will call on him to take charge and he’ll get all of the preseason work.” We -- and many others around fantasy land -- will be quite interested to see what Michael can do with the opportunity. Now might be a good time to check in on his dynasty value, in case he delivers on his athletic promise this summer.

Seahawks RB Christine Michael (hamstring) put in a full week of practice and is probable for Sunday's game against the Broncos.  Insider Liz Matthews isn't even sure Michael will be active, though.  And if he is, he'll be the #3 RB behind Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin.  Michael obviously isn't a Week 3 fantasy option.

Seahawks RB Christine Michael (hamstring) is out for Sunday’s game against the Chargers. RB Robert Turbin will continue to serve as Marshawn Lynch’s caddy. There’s no timetable for Michael’s return.

Seahawks RB Christine Michael (hamstring) has been ruled out for Thursday night's opener against the Packers.  He didn't practice this week, and there's no timetable for his return.  Robert Turbin will serve as Seattle's #2 RB on Thursday, but look for RB Marshawn Lynch to operate in his usual workhorse role.

Seahawks RB Christine Michael sat out of practice Monday as he continues to deal with a hamstring issue.  The situation doesn't matter too much even if you drafted Michael, because he'll carry little value as long as Marshawn Lynch is healthy.  But a persistent injury would only make it tougher for Michael to push Robert Turbin for backup duties behind Lynch, a role that could certainly come into play this year given the veteran's mileage.

Seahawks RB Christine Michael is dealing with a hamstring injury and is unlikely to play in Thursday's preseason finale, per HC Pete Carroll.  Between this news and Michael's inability to pass RB Robert Turbin on the depth chart, his fantasy stock has taken a hit over the past month.  We'd still expect him to be the lead dog in Seattle's backfield if Lynch went down, but it's clear that Turbin would also play a significant role.