The health of Thomas Rawls has loomed as one of Seattle's biggest X-factors heading into the new season.
Coming off a broken ankle that required surgery, the second-year running back was activated off the physically unable to perform list two weeks ago, but Rawls has yet to appear in a preseason game. In his absence, an "awakened"Christine Michael has stolen the show for the 'Hawks, but Rawls isn't sweating it.
"Whenever my number is called, if I'm out there, I'm out there," Rawls said, per Brady Henderson at 710 ESPN Seattle. "If I'm not, I know I will be ready by the first game."
Rawls noted that he has "a lot of mobility back" in the ankle, while coach Pete Carroll said last year's undrafted backfield surprise "looks really good."
"I think the signs are very, very positive that he's going to be ready in a couple weeks to play," Carroll said. "Right now, we just want to see him come back day after day and keep battling, keep really digging in like he does and competing like he does, just to show that he's right. He's doing everything we're asking of him. We're really happy with him."
Carroll, though, couldn't help but mention Michael, who has run crazy over opponents and all but guaranteed himself a large role in Seattle's post-Marshawn Lynch backfield.
"I think what's a really positive thing for us is to have Christine playing the way he's playing," Carroll said. "He's been a really positive addition and it allows us to have a really comfortable feeling of, let's make sure we take care of Thomas throughout and when he comes back he's really (ready) to go."
The Seahawks needed to find backfield insurance with Lynch out of the picture and Rawls coming off a serious injury. With Michael looking like a bona fide workhorse-in-the-making, Seattle has the requisite weapons to pile up yardage as one of the NFC's most dangerous ground games.
