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As was the case last week against the Vikings, we will not see Seattle Seahawks running backs C.J. Prosise or Thomas Rawls play in Friday’s preseason showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. Pete Carroll confirmed the news on Thursday during Thursday’s walk-through, as Rawls battles an ankle problem and Prosise deals with tightness in his groin.
Carroll said that they’d both be pushing to play if this was a game with actual meaning, but as deep as the Seahawks running back depth may be, this is the third season in a row where health is going to be a major storyline. In 2015, Marshawn Lynch missed much of the year due to sports hernia surgery, which paved the way for Thomas Rawls to shine as a rookie, up until the fractured ankle in December. Last year’s injury woes were well-documented, and the only reliably healthy running back was released in November. Regular season hasn’t even started and Prosise and Rawls both have minor knocks, and Eddie Lacy is coming off of ankle surgery, so you can’t help but be a tad concerned about the durability of those men.
So expect more of Eddie Lacy and Chris Carson (who should be considered at lock, a this point) as the top-2 ball carriers, while Mike Davis and Alex Collins each try to secure their respective spots on the roster.
On a more positive note, both wide receiver Paul Richardson and linebacker K.J. Wright are set to play tomorrow evening. Richardson hurt his shoulder in the team’s preseason opener, but thankfully the injury wasn’t as serious as feared. Wright recently had Regenokine treatment on his knee. Apparently D.J. Alexander had the exact same treatment after Wright, so he won’t be back this week.
Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta has the remaining important injury news, which is as follows:
— Michael Wilhoite, considered the favorite for the strongside linebacker spot, has a nagging calf issue and won’t play for a second straight week. That figures to mean Terence Garvin getting another start.
— C Joey Hunt has a sore ankle and didn’t practice this week and will be held out.
— Cornerback DeAndre Elliott is going through the concussion protocol and sounds like may be out this week. That could give recently acquired Tramaine Brock that much more work at nickelback.
Last but not least, Tyler Lockett will be held out again, as the team continues to take a cautious approach to bringing him back up to game speed after his broken leg last December.
Chiefs at Seahawks airs live on CBS (nationally televised) at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT.