Thomas Rawls injury update: Seahawks RB may return in Week 11
The Seattle Seahawks’ offense has not been good this season, but the looming return of running back Thomas Rawls offers some hope.
Due in part to the litany of injuries quarterback Russell Wilson is dealing with, the Seattle Seahawks entered Week 9 23rd in the NFL in total offense (339.9 yards per game) and an even more dismal 29th in scoring offense (18.7 points per game). Of particular note is a lack of proficiency on the ground, as the Seahawks have the league’s fifth-worst rush offense right now (81.4 yards per game) as they get set to play the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. But help appears to be on the way soon.
According to Stephen Cohen of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seahawks’ head coach Pete Carroll suggested running back Thomas Rawls could return to practice as soon as next week.
Carroll: RB Thomas Rawls could return to practice next week, perhaps play week after that.
— Stephen Cohen (@scohenATH) November 5, 2016
Rawls has not played since suffering a fractured fibula in Week 2. Christine Michael emerged quickly as Seattle’s lead back in Rawls’ absence, with a 106-yard, two-touchdown effort against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3, but he has averaged just under 3.5 yards per carry over the four games since and the Seahawks’ running game has really stagnated. Wilson, due to lingering knee and ankle injuries, is not able to offer anywhere close to his typical contribution as a dual threat. And of course, the every-mysterious Marshawn Lynch seems to be enjoying retirement (at least for now).
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Under the timetable Carroll offered, optimistic or otherwise, Rawls would be on track to play in Week 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry (147 carries for 830 yards) before a broken ankle ended his 2015 rookie season early, so the Seahawks are definitely hoping to get exactly that type of spark for their offense when Rawls returns this season.