Seahawks running back Chris Carson runs a drill during the first practice of training camp July 25, 2019, in Renton. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Seahawks running back Chris Carson runs a drill during the first practice of training camp July 25, 2019, in Renton. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Seahawks’ Carson healthy, embracing timeshare with Penny

The running back, who had a breakout season last year, had a minor knee procedure in the spring.

  • By Adam Jude The Seattle Times
  • Thursday, July 25, 2019 5:15pm
  • SportsSeahawks

By Adam Jude / The Seattle Times

RENTON — They want more from Chris Carson.

Carson is reluctant.

The Seattle Seahawks’ third-year running back has become one of the established leaders on offense — one of the most important players on the roster — and as such coaches have nudged him to be more outgoing, more boisterous on the field and in the locker room.

Carson isn’t so sure. The running back walked off the VMAC practice field Thursday with his hood pulled tight over his head, and the idea of breaking out of his shell, figuratively speaking, doesn’t come naturally for him.

“They are asking more of that of me, but we’ll see where I go,” Carson said. “I don’t shy away from it, but my personality is more just put my head down and go to work.”

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was happy to see his No. 1 running back back in uniform again for the first day of training camp. Carson did not participate in offseason workouts with the team as he recovered from what he called a minor knee surgery in the spring.

“It’s great to see him back,” Carroll said. “As we have always recognized, Chris is such a well-conditioned guy. He works so hard. He’s in great shape again. He had a very, very prosperous offseason in coming in and dealing with his issue — it was a minor issue. But he’s ready to go.”

Carson declared himself 100-percent healthy entering camp, and he made several cuts on the handful of carries he had with the first-team offense during Thursday’s 90-minute practice.

“I’m good. I feel good. Everything’s good, man,” Carson said.

The offseason procedure, he said, was “just to clean out my knee a little bit — a little scope, nothing real serious.”

2018 was a breakthrough season for Carson, who rushed for 1,115 yards and nine touchdowns, making him the Seahawks’ first 1,000-yard rusher since Marshawn Lynch in 2014.

What’s Carson’s mindset as he enters his third NFL camp?

“Just competing, that’s the biggest thing,” he said. “And try to make sure everyone understands that last year wasn’t just a one-time thing, you know? I’m out here trying to get better with the stuff I didn’t do so good last year. I’m trying to complete my game.”

After a broken leg derailed his rookie season in 2017, Carson said he wasn’t surprised by his success last season.

“I knew what I was capable of. It was just a matter of staying healthy. That was the biggest thing,” he said. “This year, it’s kind of the same thing, with even bigger goals. It’s the same mindset: I just want to improve.”

As Carson recovered from surgery, Rashaad Penny got the bulk of the carries with the first-team offense during offseason workouts. At the time, Carroll raved about Penny’s conditioning and production.

Carson echoed those sentiments about Penny, Seattle’s 2018 first-round pick.

“Me and him are real close,” Carson said. “I try to give him as many tips as I can, and he does the same thing for me. It’s good. It’s great to see his growth from year one to year two. Year one, he had some injuries and some things to overcome. His confidence wasn’t there. But toward the end of the year, you saw his confidence start to grow, which is good. …

“He knows he can make the cuts that maybe he was second-guessing last year. You’re starting to see that. He trusts his speed more, and once he gets to that second level he can break away.”

Carson said he has no qualms sharing carries with Penny.

“I think we complement each other real well,” Carson said. “The media likes to tear us against each other and stuff like that, but me and him are close. We don’t pay attention to none of that. We just go out and play.”

Notes

Defensive end Ezekiel Ansah started training camp on the active roster despite his continuing efforts to recover from offseason shoulder surgery. Carroll said Ansah would be eased into camp. Carroll said the same approach would be used with tight end Will Dissly (knee) who is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn patellar tendon. … Rookies safety Marquise Blair and linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven were activated off the PUP list and can begin practicing Friday. … Rookie offensive lineman Phil Haynes will be out at least another week after undergoing sports hernia surgery.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Cal Raleigh wins 2025 MLB Home Run Derby

Cal Raleigh called his shot years ago. In a childhood video spreading… Continue reading

Portland Fire unveil name, branding as WNBA’s 15th team

A flame is being reignited for Portland’s new WNBA franchise. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Late Mystics surge dooms Storm as stars struggle

Seattle dropped to 13-9 after shooting 36.2% from the field.

Jorge Polanco (7), right, of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his ninth inning home run with J.P. Crawford (3) while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Detroit. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners sweep Tigers on way to All-Star break

The Detroit Tigers still have the best record in baseball,… Continue reading

Mariners select LSU pitcher with No. 3 pick in MLB draft

College baseball’s best pitcher is coming to the Emerald City. The Seattle… Continue reading

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates winning championship point against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the Gentlemen's Singles Final on day 14 of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in London. (Julian Finney / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Sinner conquers Alcaraz for his first Wimbledon title

The vision of Jannik Sinner covered in sweat and… Continue reading

Rome Odunze scans the field in a scrimmage at his youth football camp at Archbishop Murphy High School on July 10, 2025. The former University of Washington star is entering his second NFL season with the Chicago Bears. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Odunze ‘gives back’ in Everett youth football camp

The former University of Washington star hosts a single-day camp at Archbishop Murphy on Thursday.

The New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, top right, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly ball during the 10th inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in New York. (Justin Casterline / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Yankees walk off Mariners on Judge’s sac fly for series sweep

Seattle blows 5-0 lead after Bryan Woo takes no-hitter into eighth inning.

Raleigh says Munoz tipped pitches during Yankees’ comeback

The Yankees had a bead on Seattle Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz. That’s… Continue reading

Midfielder Christian Soto dribbles up field during Snohomish United's 5-1 win against the Tacoma Stars at Stockers Fields on July 9, 2025 (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Snohomish United keeps playoff hopes alive in home finale

With 5-1 win against Tacoma, the USL2 club’s focus on local talent keys success in inaugural season.

AquaSox down Devils for consecutive wins

The AquaSox were on a 2-10 stretch coming into the series.

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.