Pete Carroll: Seahawks’ Jimmy Graham, Thomas Rawls ‘absolutely’ on track for season opener
Jun 16, 2016, 3:23 PM | Updated: 4:01 pm
Pete Carroll said Jimmy Graham is actually ahead of Thomas Rawls in his running program. (AP)
(AP)
Injured running back Thomas Rawls and tight end Jimmy Graham did not participate in the Seahawks’ three-day minicamp, but head coach Pete Carroll said Thursday both are making great progress and are “absolutely” on track for the Sept. 11 opener against Miami.
“They would have to incur some issues that we can’t foresee right now for that not to happen,” Carroll said.
Graham underwent patellar tendon surgery after a Week 12 injury against Pittsburgh and Rawls saw his spectacular rookie season end early from an ankle injury in Week 14.
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Carroll said both are working through the rehab process and wasn’t sure if either would be available for the first day of training camp or if they’d be placed on the physically unable to perform list. Carroll said it will be crucial to see how both recover during the six-week break before the start of training camp.
“Jimmy is a little bit of ahead of Thomas in terms of on-field running, so he’s a bit ahead schedule-wise but still Thomas is in great shape,” Carroll said. “Both kids are mentally right, they’ve got the great attitude about what they’re going to do in these next six weeks and so we’ll just have to wait and see. We’ll be chronicling their progress through the offseason. Thomas is going to be here the whole time, Jimmy is going to be back and forth.”
Other notes from Carroll’s press conference:
• Doug Baldwin contract update: “Eventually we’ll get something worked out. I hope it happens. The intent is to get him signed and secured for a good while. So we’ll see if we can get that done … They are meeting on it right now, so they are working at it.”
• Strong outside linebacker competition: “That’s going to be wide open. We’ll see what happens. Mike (Morgan) brings all the experience so he would start if we had to start a game today. He’s just ahead of the other guys but both Cassius (Marsh) and (Eric Pinkins) have done a great job of battling. Those guys are getting a great shot.”
• Russell Wilson is a “true vet” now in season five: “He’s made a clear step ahead. His command is like all-time. His ability to move defenders with the setups and things, he’s consistently doing that, almost unconsciously, he’s so clued in. We saw him throw the ball all over the field throughout the offseason and he’s been strong and accurate and really precise about stuff. He’s had a great offseason.”
