How will Eddie Lacy, Chris Carson fit into Seahawks’ RB picture?

After leaning on a depleted running back rotation due to injuries in 2016, this year’s Seahawks camp has seen an especially competitive group battling for a spot on the roster. At one point, Seattle had 11 running backs signed, but that group has since been whittled down to seven: Eddie Lacy, Thomas Rawls. C.J. Prosise, Alex Collins, Chris Carson, J.D. McKissic, and Mike Davis.

Chris Carson reflects on first game at CenturyLink Field

Both Dave Grosby and Gee Scott of 710 ESPN Seattle are intrigued by Carson, a rookie, and know Thomas Rawls has delivered on field before. However, neither are convinced any back will leapfrog Lacy as the Week 1 starter, primarily because the former Green Bay Packer has experience and health on his side.

That’s not to say Lacy, who had 21 yards on four carries in Friday’s preseason win over Kansas City, will be the starter for the whole season, however.

“Week 1, Eddie Lacy will be the No. 1 back,” Gee said. “Do I think he’s the No. 1 back (in) Week 10? Not really sold on that.”

If 100 percent healthy, Rawls would seem to be the clear lead, and he and Prosise should both be safe in making the roster, but Gee and Groz worry about the injury histories of the pair. Prosise appeared in six games during his rookie season, but did not return to the field after suffering a fractured scapula in Week 11. Rawls saw his phenomenal 2015 rookie season cut short due to a broken ankle and suffered a fractured fibula in 2016. Additionally, both players were sidelined for the game against the Chiefs, Prosise with a groin injury and Rawls with an ankle injury, though they might have been able to play had it been the regular season.

Those injuries provided extra reps for Carson on Friday, and he stood out just like he has throughout training camp and the preseason, rushing for 46 yards on eight carries.

“You’ve got two names: Eddie Lacy (and) Chris Carson,” Grosby said. “I’m not saying everyone else is going away; of course they’re not. But Chris Carson is intriguing to me… because we know they have no qualms about playing the guys they think can help. And Prosise and Rawls right now can’t do the most important thing, that’s be on the field.”

Grosby cited the use of Rawls in his breakout rookie season when he had signed as an undrafted free agent as proof that the Seahawks don’t care where players come from as long as they can produce.

Players hovering on the roster bubble, which may include Collins and Davis, will have a last shot next Thursday in Seattle’s final preseason contest against the Raiders. Seattle must cut down to its final 53-man roster two days later on Sept. 2.

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