Seahawks Insider: Thomas Rawls goes from healthy scratch to just healthy
Oct 5, 2017, 9:53 AM | Updated: 10:08 am
Thomas Rawls finished his three-year career in Seattle with 1,336 rushing yards and eight combined TDs. (AP)
(AP)
RENTON – Thomas Rawls was a healthy scratch from Sunday’s game against the Colts, which is an odd figure of speech especially when it comes to Rawls.
He has been anything but healthy over the past two years. First, it was the broken ankle he suffered at Baltimore in the final month of his rookie season. Then there was a fracture in his lower leg that sidelined him for seven games last season and most recently a high ankle sprain that knocked him out of the final three preseason games.
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Carroll was asked to compare Rawls’ current status to the player who seemed certain to rush for more than 1,000 yards as a rookie in 2015 and was among the league leaders in yards per carry.
“We haven’t had a chance to see him on a regular basis,” Carroll said, “so this is kind of a chance for him to re-enter. I’m really excited for him.”
Chris Carson’s injury will result in an opportunity not just for Rawls, but for Eddie Lacy. Each has been inactive for one game this season. Both were among the candidates to start this season. Neither back was able to grab hold of that chance as Carson rose to the top of the depth chart.
With Carson on injured reserve, Carroll has made to sure to mention Rawls any time someone asks about Lacy and to talk about Lacy every time Rawls is mentioned.
“He and Eddie are going to take the load,” Carroll said of Rawls. “We’re so fortunate to have Thomas coming into the lineup. I’m expecting he’s all fired up about it. Like I said, he’s healthy. He’s real anxious. I can’t wait to get him out there.”
And unlike last week’s game against the Colts, Rawls is going to have an opportunity this Sunday as he goes from being a healthy scratch to just plain old healthy.
“He’s had an extra couple weeks to get back from the ankle that was bothering him,” Carroll said, “but it wasn’t a terrible ankle, it was a high ankle and they linger a little bit. He’s rearing to go now so we’re in good shape.”
