The Seahawks were back on the field for training camp Tuesday after taking Monday off, and the biggest piece of news was the return of running back Thomas Rawls.
Rawls is considered the heir apparent to Marshawn Lynch as Seattle’s primary ball carrier. Last season as a rookie free agent he was sensational filling in when Lynch was injured, gaining 830 yards on 147 carries and leading the NFL with 5.6 yards per carry. However, he suffered a broken ankle and ligament damage in Week 13 against Baltimore, an injury that required surgery and kept Rawls on the sidelines throughout all of OTAs and minicamp.
Rawls began training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list, but he was taken off the PUP list Sunday, and he saw his first practice time Tuesday.
Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls from Everett Herald on Vimeo.
Rawls didn’t participate in scrimmaging Tuesday as the Seahawks are working him slowly back into things. But he did take part in some position drills, as well as working on the side on his own. After practice Rawls addressed the media and declined to say anything about the plan for his return to full activity, answering all those questions by saying he was “day to day.” But he said he was feeling phenomenal following a hard and arduous rehab. Check tomorrow’s paper for a full story on Rawls’ return.
Other notes from Tuesday:
– There was a not-so-new face at practice Tuesday as defensive end Josh Shirley was back with the team. The former University of Washington Husky was signed to a futures contract in January, but waived in May. However, now he’s back to provide some pass-rush depth. The corresponding roster move hasn’t yet been announced.
– New offensive lineman Jahri Evans saw his first true action with the team. Evans, a six-time Pro Bowler who was signed as a free agent Saturday, spent Tuesday working with Seattle’s third-team offensive line at left guard. He was used exclusively as a right guard during his 10 seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
– There were still several players sitting out Tuesday, including receiver Doug Baldwin (lower leg) and defensive tackle Jordan Hill (groin). Strong safety Kam Chancellor (groin) was back participating in drills, but did not take part in scrimmaging. Running back Alex Collins, the star of Sunday’s scrimmage, also didn’t participate in scrimmaging because of a sore ankle. Collins being out meant all three of Seattle’s running back draft picks — Collins, C.J. Prosise (hamstring) and Zac Brooks (hamstring) — didn’t take part in scrimmaging. As a result, cornerback George Farmer played as a running back.
– Archbishop Murphy High School graduate Taniela Tupou was back on defense Tuesday, but instead of playing as a defensive tackle he was used primarily as a defensive end with the third-team defense. Tupou played defense despite the fact newcomer Jonathan Amosa appeared to be the only player getting snaps at fullback.
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