Seahawks HC Pete Carroll announced that RB Thomas Rawls will start Sunday's game against the Rams. It's not as big a story as some will make it out to be. RB Christine Michael will remain involved in a committee backfield. But it looked like Seattle wanted to get Rawls going in the opener, and this news jibes with that. The 'Hawks figure to go run-heavy this Sunday with QB Russell Wilson banged up, making both Michael and Rawls borderline RB2s.

Seahawks RB Thomas Rawls (ankle) is active for today’s game against the Dolphins. RB Christine Michael is expected to start, and Rawls figures to be on some type of snap count. It makes him an extremely risky fantasy play, although there’s upside in a plus matchup.

Seahawks HC Pete Carroll announced Friday that RB Christine Michael will start this weekend's opener against the Dolphins. RB Thomas Rawls will come off the bench. This doesn't tell us a whole lot about the workload distribution, but it jibes with what we heard earlier this week. Rawls is expected to be limited coming off last year's severe ankle injury, but his volume might ultimately come down to how he's feeling and performing during the game. Consider both Rawls and Michael risk/reward fantasy plays in a plus matchup.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reports that RB Marshawn Lynch is considering un-retiring. Florio adds that Lynch would be targeting Week 4 or 5 for his return. It's unclear whether the Seahawks would take Lynch back, although we'd guess they would considering their question marks at RB. It's an intriguing storyline as the 2016 season gets ready to kick off, but we wouldn't panic if you're a Thomas Rawls or Christine Michael owner just yet.

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 RB Thomas Rawls (ankle) was a full participant in Sunday's practice. "He looks really good and I think the signs are very positive that he's going to be ready in a couple weeks to play," HC Pete Carroll said. "Right now we just want to see him come back day after day and keep battling, really digging in like he does and competing like he does, just to show that he's alright. He's doing everything right so we're really happy with him." Rawls is on track to be ready for Week 1. It remains unclear what his volume will look like with Christine Michael and possibly C.J. Prosise vying for touches. Rawls is a risk/reward pick at his 4th-round ADP.

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."

The Seahawks have ruled RB Thomas Rawls out for Saturday's preseason opener. It's no surprise given that he just came off the PUP earlier this week and took the field for the 1st time since suffering an ankle fracture in the middle of last season. We'll be interested to see Rawls in the 2nd and 3rd exhibitions to gauge his readiness. His ADP currently sits in the middle of Round 4.

Seahawks RB Thomas Rawls (ankle) has been activated from the PUP list. He didn't do much in practice on Sunday, but the team will ramp up his activity going forward. "We will be working him back into practice," HC Pete Carroll said. "He should be ready to go. We're not rushing." Rawls has exactly 5 months to get ready for the season opener. Barring any setbacks with that ankle, he'll head into Week 1 as Seattle's clear lead ball carrier. RB C.J. Prosise remains a threat to steal passing-down work.

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.

Seahawks HC Pete Carroll revealed Thursday that RB Thomas Rawls did have ankle surgery at "some point." We're assuming that happened shortly after he broke the ankle on December 13. But Seattle hasn't provided many updates on Rawls' injury or rehab this offseason. Carroll was optimistic on Thursday, as usual, saying that Rawls is "almost day to day." We'll see when he's activated from the PUP list and makes his practice debut.

Seahawks RB Thomas Rawls (ankle) and TE Jimmy Graham (Achilles) opened training camp on the active/PUP list. Rawls has been running and cutting for at least a couple of weeks and thought he'd be ready for the start of camp. This could be a case of Seattle just playing it safe. Rawls should be ready in plenty of time for Week 1. Graham is more questionable for the start of the regular season.

ESPN's John Clayton believes rookie RB Alex Collins could push RB Thomas Rawls for carries right away. “Alex Collins looks really good and could challenge him,” Clayton said. “Thomas Rawls has to play his best to stay ahead of Alex and maybe get those 15 carries, where maybe Alex gets eight to 10. And if Alex comes and competes better, maybe he gets more." Clayton added that Collins showed a "similar style" to Marshawn Lynch and "good feet" this spring. We weren't particularly impressed by Collins' tape at Arkansas, but he did post 1,000+ rushing yards in all 3 of his seasons. Seattle's backfield -- also featuring rookie C.J. Prosise -- will be worth watching closely when training camp opens.

This hasn't been an encouraging offseason for Seahawks RB Thomas Rawls' recovery from an ankle fracture, but perhaps that's about to change. He told ESPN's Sheil Kapadia on Sunday that he'll "most definitely" be ready for the start of training camp. "Rehab is going phenomenal," Rawls said. "Running, cutting, working hard, getting back out there. I'm looking forward to being out there the first week. Rehab has been going phenomenal this whole offseason. I don't have a break because I've gotta work 10 times harder. So I'm excited to come back and fill that void in that backfield." We've had little news on Rawls' rehab to this point, so his take sounds encouraging. We'll see if he's truly ready to take the field at the end of this month. Seattle spent 3 draft picks and an undrafted free-agent contract on RBs this spring, but the backfield needed depth after injuries to Marshawn Lynch and then Rawls left the Seahawks scrambling in 2015. Rawls' MFL10 ADP has slipped roughly a round -- to the 4-5 turn -- vs. a month ago.

Seahawks RB Thomas Rawls remained sidelined as his teammates took part in OTAs this week. When asked if Rawls' injured ankle would allow him to start training camp on time, HC Pete Carroll told ESPN.com: "I think we'll probably ease into training camp with both guys. Jimmy (Graham)'s a little farther behind than Thomas. We won't rush him at that time. We'll just use all the six weeks or something in there, and we'll see what we can take advantage of." We'll be watching Rawls closely through training camp and the preseason. He's risky as the 14th RB off the board in MFL10 drafting right now -- near the Round 3-4 turn -- but Rawls flashed the ability and should have the opportunity to deliver on that draft position if healthy.

According to Seahawks HC Pete Carroll, RB C.J. Prosise is dealing with a hip flexor injury that "heated up" on Thursday.  The 3rd round rookie missed an OTA session, but the injury appears minor.  With Thomas Rawls rehabbing a broken ankle, Prosise could be more than just a pass catching back in 2016. 

The Seahawks added RB C.J. Prosise in the 3rd round of the 2016 NFL Draft.  A converted WR, Prosise flashed big-time running ability this past season.  He ripped off 6.6 yards per carry and 11 scores on 157 attempts.  He added 26 catches for 308 yards and another score.  At 6'0, 220 pounds with a SPARQ score in the 64th percentile and that dual-threat ability, Prosise has as much upside as any RB in the draft class not named Ezekiel Elliott.  He joins a backfield with Thomas Rawls, who had a few big games last year before suffering a broken ankle.  Prosise probably isn't ready to assume a lead role in 2016 but could carve out a pass-catching role and is certainly capable of eventually passing Rawls on the depth chart.