BRADY HENDERSON

Seahawks’ Thomas Rawls a full participant; Michael Bennett eying next week for return

Nov 16, 2016, 7:26 PM | Updated: 7:29 pm

Thomas Rawls is on track to play Sunday, but he may not resume his starting role right away. (AP)...

Thomas Rawls is on track to play Sunday, but he may not resume his starting role right away. (AP)

(AP)

RENTON – The Seahawks listed running back Thomas Rawls as a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, which was another step toward his return to the field following a crack in his fibula that has sidelined him for seven games.

Speaking of Rawls earlier in the day, coach Pete Carroll said he should be “significantly involved” Sunday against Philadelphia so long as he makes it through the week of practice without issue. But when asked if Rawls will resume his starting role, Carroll gave an indication that the Seahawks may ease him back at first, which would be the expected approach given that he hasn’t played in two months.

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That would mean a heavier workload on Sunday for rookie C.J. Prosise.

“We’re going to get him back first,” Carroll said of Rawls. “Let’s get him back, get him going and make sure he’s ready to roll and all that and we’ll figure that out in time. I’m not worried about that a bit. If he makes it through the week, he’s going to play considerably because he’s in great shape and he’s ready to do that, but we’re not going to overplay him or try to take it too far too soon.”

Carroll said tight end Luke Willson will play Sunday. He missed the last four games with a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery and was close to returning last week. Wilson was listed as a full participant in Wednesday’s practice as was tackle Bradley Sowell, who’s returning this week from a knee injury of his own.

Sowell missed the last three games with a sprained MCL, which opened the door for undrafted rookie George Fant to take over at left tackle. Offensive-line coach Tom Cable said Wednesday that Fant will remain the starter there while Sowell competes with Garry Gilliam to start at right tackle.

Carroll said defensive end Michael Bennett has a shot to play next week at Tampa Bay. He’s two weeks removed from arthroscopic knee surgery and didn’t practice Wednesday.

“Mike’s really optimistic about it,” Carroll said. “He thinks things are going great and the trainers do as well. He’s trying to shoot for the next game and we’ll see what happens. We won’t rush him back. We’ll do what we need to do to make sure he’s well and right and all that, and if he can prove that to himself and to us, then maybe it is next week. I don’t know. He is really making a great comeback, though.”

Linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis likely won’t play Sunday, Carroll said. He injured his hamstring against New England and didn’t practice Wednesday.

Tight end Jimmy Graham also missed practice Wednesday. He has regularly been given days off this season as he comes back from a serious knee injury and hasn’t missed any games.

Did not participate

• DE Michael Bennett (knee)
• LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (hamstring)
• TE Jimmy Graham (knee)

Full participation

• RB Thomas Rawls (fibula)
• OT Bradley Sowell (knee)
• TE Luke Willson (knee)
• QB Russell Wilson (knee)

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