Thomas Rawls injury update: Out for another month

Sep 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) rushes against Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Alec Ogletree (52) during the second half of a NFL game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) rushes against Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Alec Ogletree (52) during the second half of a NFL game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Seahawks starting running back Thomas Rawls is dealing with a fibula injury suffered in Week 2 versus the Los Angeles Rams. How long will he be out?

The Seattle Seahawks took a big gamble in letting former Pro Bowl running back Marshawn Lynch retire after the 2015 NFL season. Seattle felt confident that Thomas Rawls could build on his impressive 2015 campaign and be the full-time starter in 2016.

However, Rawls suffered a fibula injury in Week 2’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He ran the ball seven times for negative seven yards in that game before exiting for good at halftime. His injury has given way to Christine Michael to be the new starting running back for the Seahawks? How much longer will Rawls be out for Seattle?

Seahawks general manager John Schneider told The Seattle Times Bob Condotta that Rawls “is going to be out another month, or approximately a month.”

This news from Schneider means that Rawls isn’t expected to return from his injury until at least Week 8 in early November. Rawls will have missed at least five games for the Seahawks in the early part of the season. Seattle has their bye in Week 5 after playing at the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon.

So what does this mean for Rawls on your fantasy team? Drop him immediately and try to pick up Michael if you can. He’s going to be the bell-cow back for the Seahawks this month. If Michael isn’t available, try to pick up either Alex Collins or C.J. Prosise in the Seattle backfield to try to mitigate the blow.

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This is not good news for the Seahawks offense with Rawls out until at least early November.