Seahawks rookie running back Rawls fills in for injured Lynch

  • By Rich Myhre and Nick Patterson Herald Writers
  • Sunday, September 27, 2015 10:50pm
  • SportsSeahawksSports

SEATTLE — He made a late arrival and then an early exit, and his impact in between was minimal.

A tight calf muscle at the outset and later an injured hamstring muscle limited running back Marshawn Lynch in Sunday’s 26-0 victory over Chicago at CenturyLink Field. But if that was the bad news, the good news was the play of backup Thomas Rawls, a rookie from Central Michigan who was Seattle’s leading rusher with 104 yards on 16 carries.

“I thought it was really great to see Thomas Rawls get going,” said Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll. “He ran really hard and really tough and gave us a real kind of personality about the way we like to run the football.”

The Seahawks did not get a good feel for Rawls’ potential in the preseason, Carroll added, “but today it was really evident that he could be a factor and help us out.”

As for Lynch, he stayed in the locker room early in the game trying to get his legs loose.

“He has a sequence he goes through to get ready to go,” Carroll explained. “It’s happened before where he just can’t get in rhythm and get right. … He just couldn’t get ready.”

Lynch, who had 114 yards on 33 carries in season-opening games at St. Louis and Green Bay, did not appear on the field until midway through the first quarter. He walked from the locker room to the bench while wearing a full-length hooded team parka.

Minutes later he was on the field for Seattle’s third offensive series, gaining 8 yards on his first carry and 5 yards on the next. Through the rest of the first half he had three more carries for a net gain of 1 yard, and one reception that picked up 9 yards.

Carroll was unsure if Lynch’s injury would be an issue for Seattle’s game next Monday night against the Detroit Lions. “We checked it all out and there is nothing to be alarmed by, so we’ll just have to wait and see,” he said.

Other injuries

In addition to Lynch, the Seahawks lost one other player during the game when defensive tackle Brandon Mebane departed in the first quarter because of a groin injury. Carroll said he did not know the severity of the injury.

Seattle had three players not play because of injury — tight end Luke Willson (back spasms), cornerback Tharold Simon (toe) and safety Steven Terrell (hip).

Willson had been listed as questionable and Carroll said Willson could have played, but the team decided to play it safe.

Big call

The Seahawks seemed to get a big break early in the second quarter when a short Chicago punt appeared to bounce off the leg of Seattle’s Brock Coyle before bouncing toward the sideline where it was grabbed by Bears defensive back Sherrick McManis.

The officials initially awarded the ball to Seattle, but Chicago challenged the ruling and the officials took a long look at the replay before announcing “the call on the field stands.” Translated, it means the replay was inconclusive; otherwise the referee would have said “the call on the field is confirmed.”

Had the call been overturned, Chicago would have had a first down at the Seattle 13.

After the game, Coyle was vague when asked if the ball had touched him. “I don’t know, man,” he said. “I was just playing and blocking my guy.”

Bennett reunion

Sunday’s game was a reunion for Seattle defensive tackle Michael Bennett and his younger brother (by one year), Chicago tight end Martellus Bennett.

The two Bennetts chatted on the field at times during the game, including a prolonged conversation during a second-half timeout. Afterward they spoke on the field for several minutes, and were joined by some teammates with a few of the players exchanging jerseys.

As for the game’s outcome, “Big brother always wins, just like the government,” said Michael Bennett.

Gatorade bath

With the outcome decided in the late minutes, some Seattle players doused first-year defensive coordinator Kris Richard with celebratory Gatorade.

Everyone on the sideline seemed to enjoy the drenching, including the head coach. “They’re really excited about (Richard) leading this defense, and he’s done a fantastic job of taking over,” Carroll said. “They love the guy … so it was a good moment.”

Seahawks honor legends

During a halftime ceremony, the Seahawks honored many of the top players from their first 40 seasons. Among the dozens of players on hand were eight members of the team’s Ring of Honor _ Walter Jones, Cortez Kennedy, Jim Zorn, Steve Largent, Jacob Green, Curt Warner, Kenny Easley and Dave Krieg.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, March 18

Prep roundup for Monday, March 18: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.