The Seattle Seahawks have begun to find their groove. The team had been struggling, but the rise of Russell Wilson has certainly ended that. However, injuries continue to haunt the team. First they lost Jimmy Graham to an injury. Marshawn Lynch is still recovering from an injury and now their top rusher with the veteran sidelined is out. With Thomas Rawls done for the year, how will the Seahawks stabilize the ground game while Lynch is also out?
According to the Seattle Times, Rawls is officially out for the season after breaking his ankle and tearing ligaments in the win over the Baltimore Ravens. Head coach Pete Carroll admitted that the loss of Rawls will be tough. The rookie running back had acquired 830 yards in place of Lynch and was making a huge impact on the team. Losing him means the Seahawks are down their two top backs and have to figure out the best way to replace the production.
The first idea is getting Lynch back. Lynch has been out after having surgery on a sports hernia. He has missed four games so far with the issue, but a timetable is still unknown for his return at this time. Carroll told the media that Lynch is working hard to get back, but the team did not know his progress.
"We'll see how Marshawn does," Carroll said, via ESPN.com. "He was back in rehabbing with us. We'll see where he is. He's got a chance to get back. It's all about getting back in shape and getting right. I don't know what that timetable is at this point. Our trainers can't tell yet. That'll be the next thing we look forward to and see how that works. And in the meantime, we'll figure it out."
The lack of a run game will hurt the Seahawks and an addition to the roster will have to happen until Lynch is ready to come back. In Week 14, the Seahawks turned to DuJuan Harries when Rawls went down. He put up 42 yards on 18 carries. He fumbled in the redzone which set the Seahawks back. With Rawls out, Harris is the go-to guy while Fred Jackson should also see time. With Lynch playing like an MVP right now, the tandem of Harris and Jackson might be enough to get by. However, the Seahawks need another healthy body on the roster. Montee Ball and Trent Richardson remain available and healthy. Both running backs have worked out for other teams, but have yet to sign anywhere. The Seahawks could take a look at one of the options.
