RENTON — Thomas Rawls has made it all the way back.
The Seattle Seahawks running back’s recovery from injury is apparently complete as Seattle coach Pete Carroll declared Wednesday that Rawls will be the starter for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.
“Thomas will get more work — matter of fact Thomas will start this week,” Carroll said during his press conference at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
“I think coach is pretty confident with it, and I’m fairly confident with it also,” Rawls said. “Evidently he made me the starter, and evidently I’m going to have a huge load this week, so I’m looking forward to it, I’m excited.”
Rawls is coming off a rookie season in which he announced himself as the likely successor to Marshawn Lynch as Seattle’s primary ball-carrier. Rawls, who went undrafted out of Central Michigan, filled in while Lynch was out injured and gained 830 yards on 147 carries, leading the NFL in yards per carry at 5.6.
But Rawls suffered a broken ankle and ligament damage during Seattle’s 35-6 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 13, an injury that ended his season and kept him sidelined throughout the offseason. Rawls returned to practice during training camp and appeared in Seattle’s final preseason game, but was named the backup to Christine Michael for last Sunday’s season opener against the Miami Dolphins, and Carroll said Rawls’ workload would be limited.
Rawls and Michael had roughly the same number of touches against the Dolphins — Michael had 15 carries to Rawls’ 12 — but Michael was on the field for significantly more snaps (52-22) and outgained Rawls 66-32.
However, during his time on the field Rawls looked his normal self, including jumping up and getting fired up after being hit hard during a first-half carry.
“It felt amazing,” Rawls said. “You guys can tell when I’m out there, I’m so energized, I get excited. Even if it’s a 2-yard run, I’m excited to be out there just giving my energy to my team. But it did feel good to get back out there and get that contact.”
Rawls said he felt no ill affects in his ankle following the game, further suggesting he’s over the injury.
“When I broke my ankle it was always an unknown,” Rawls said. “I wasn’t sure when I’d get back, I wasn’t sure if I’d get back out there ever again. But I worked hard and pushed towards it, and the offseason went great for me. The whole organization and team took great care of me, we have some outstanding trainers, and I was excited. I was pushed, the offseason was hard, and look where I am today. I’m starting a game.”
For more on the Seattle sports scene, check out Nick Patterson’s Seattle Sidelines blog at www.heraldnet.com/tag/seattle-sidelines, or follow him on Twitter at @NickHPatterson.
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