SEATTLE — Sunday proved a difficult day for running backs at CenturyLink Field.
So much so, in fact, that Seattle backup quarterback Trevone Boykin carried twice on Seattle’s penultimate possession in a 26-15 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
“A lot our running backs went down and he filled in in that position and I’m proud of him for that, and I thank him for that,” said running back Thomas Rawls, one of just two active Seattle running backs not to succumb to an injury.
The visiting Philadelphia Eagles lost their top two options in Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles to first-half injuries, and the Seahawks saw starter C.J. Prosise (scapula) and third-stringer Troymaine Pope (high ankle sprain) go down during the course of the game.
Prosise, who announced his presence vividly last Sunday night in New England, wasted no time making an impact Sunday. His third touch of the game yielded a 72-yard touchdown run as he bounced outside the tackles — sprung by blocks from right tackle Garry Gilliam and tight end Luke Willson — and raced down the right sideline for the game’s first touchdown at 11:02 in the first quarter.
“He did a good job of pressing the line and setting the linebackers into our combinations and you make one cut and you’re getting downhill,” Gilliam said. “He passed that combo and I think he ran off of me and the tight end. That’s just how those plays go, you press the line and then he’s gone.”
Prosise finished with 76 yards on just four carries before he was injured on Seattle’s final drive of the first half. Head coach Pete Carroll said Prosise could be out for a while.
Sunday also marked the return of Rawls, who hadn’t played since the second week of the season as he recovered from a cracked fibula. That came after his rookie season was cut short last year because of a broken ankle.
“There’s no question that C.J. got us started with a great couple runs, but we really felt Thomas today,” Carroll said. “It was great to have him back out there. It’s a good thing.”
With Prosise out, the bulk of the second-half carries fell to Rawls, who finished with 57 yards on 14 carries, as well three receptions for 30 yards.
Twenty-eight of his rushing yards came on his first three carries, including one that went for 18 yards.
“I felt lighter on my feet,” Rawls said. “I felt like I could make more lateral movements and get in and out of cuts and run with a little more explosiveness and power, a lot of attributes of my game that I displayed tonight, and I’m proud of myself for that.”
One of Rawls’ receptions brought him toward the Seattle sideline and concluded with Rawls lowering his shoulder and barreling over a Philadelphia defender. It drew palpable excitement, not only from the 69,000-plus fans, but also his teammates on the defensive side of the ball.
“That’s him getting back to who he is,” Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman said. “He’s a physical ballplayer. He loves that. He’s a physical ballplayer. He loves going after people. He loves bringing the fight to them. Just to see him get back to who he is and get a chance to be out there just made my night.”
Pope, who was making his regular-season debut, carried just twice for 3 yards in the second half before limping to the locker room. Carroll said rookie Alex Collins, who was inactive for Sunday’s game, will be needed next week when the Seahawks travel to Tampa Bay.
“(I) know a couple guys went down in the backfield and I’ll be praying for those guys, but in the meantime, I’m going to hold down this backfield,” Rawls said. “No pressure.”
Follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter @jessegeleynse.
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