Seahawks Insider: Pete Carroll plays it coy on starting running back

RENTON – Thomas Rawls practiced fully for the Seahawks Wednesday after missing the final three preseason games with an ankle injury.

His return would put Seattle’s backfield back to full strength, and coach Pete Carroll was asked if he had decided on a starting running back.

“Yeah,” Carroll said.

(Pause for laughter.)

OK, coach. Very funny. Will you be telling us who the starting running back will be?

“Wait and see,” Carroll said.

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Rawls started the preseason opener for the Seahawks before he was sidelined by the ankle injury for the remainder of the preseason.

“It has been a lingering high ankle that hasn’t quite subsided yet,” Carroll said before Wednesday’s practice. “He’s really close. He practiced Monday. We’re trying to get him back and we’ll see how it goes.”

If Rawls isn’t ready to start, Eddie Lacy certainly is, said Carroll.

“He’s had a great run with us getting to this point,” Carroll said. “He’s done everything we’ve asked of him. He’s for, gosh, for weeks now he has made every practice. He has been able to do every rep that we’ve offered him. He’s conditioned well. He’s prepared to play.”

Throw in rookie Chris Carson and second-year player C.J. Prosise, who returned from a strained groin for the preseason finale, and the Seahawks have choices at running back.

“If we’ve got multiple guys playing the position, we’re going and see how it goes,” Carroll said, “see how they play and see who’s hot on that day and try to call it and look forward to see whatever that unveils to us.

“We’re very fortunate to have the depth and also to have C.J. ready to roll as well. We’re in really good shape right now.”

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