Seahawks’ Pete Carroll: Jimmy Graham, Thomas Rawls could be ready by regular season
May 26, 2016, 5:16 PM | Updated: 5:22 pm
Pete Carroll said Jimmy Graham is actually ahead of Thomas Rawls in his running program. (AP)
(AP)
It’s “real possible” that both tight end Jimmy Graham and running back Thomas Rawls will be ready to play by the start of the regular season, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Thursday.
Graham, who is recovering from patellar tendon surgery in his right knee, and Rawls, who is coming back from a broken ankle, are both making good progress and have Seattle optimistic they’ll be available before the end of training camp.
“We have to avoid setbacks obviously but we’re counting on that,” Carroll said when asked if the pair will be ready by Week 1.
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Carroll’s comments aren’t too much of a surprise when it comes to Rawls, but it’s certainly good news regarding Graham, whose injury had some expecting him to start the 2016 campaign on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list. His recovery is still likely to take more time than Rawls’, though.
“Jimmy’s a little farther behind than Thomas. We won’t rush anything. We’ll use all six weeks (of training camp) in there and take advantage of it,” Carroll said. “I think we’ll ease into training camp for both guys, you know.”
As for right now, both are active but not participating in on-the-field activities during OTAs.
“Those guys are both making really good progress. Thomas is running and Jimmy is back to running on the field for the first time the last couple days, which is great. He’s made terrific progress,” Carroll said. “Both those guys’ attitudes are really good. They’re really positive about making it. So it’s a long haul for those guys and we feel for them because they want to be a part of it like everyone else but they’re doing a great job of going through what they need to.”
Additional personnel notes from Carroll after Thursday’s OTA:
• Right tackle Garry Gilliam was absent Thursday after getting a cyst removed from his knee. “He doesn’t have a knee issue other than that, so we did that yesterday and everything went fine,” Carroll said. “He’ll be out a couple weeks.”
• Right guard J’Marcus Webb was present but not active on the field due to a calf pull. “Webb is still about another 10 days away from getting out,” said Carroll. “We’re really anxious to see him and get those two guys (Webb and Gilliam) together on the right side and see what that looks like.”
• In regards to a report that Marshawn Lynch has told former teammates that he will play in 2016, Carroll said the Seahawks have not been contacted by the retired running back.
