By Nick Patterson
Herald Writer
RENTON — It was a moment the Seattle Seahawks and their fans had been waiting all of training camp for.
As Tuesday morning’s practice was about to begin, Thomas Rawls walked out of the main building at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center and onto the practice field, pads on shoulders and helmet on head.
That’s right, the Seahawks’ projected primary ball carrier is back.
Rawls took the field for the first time since suffering a debilitating ankle injury last December, and both he and the team were ready for the long wait to be over.
“It feels good to be back out here with the fellows, feeling the crowd and getting some high fives and slaps on the behind and stuff like that,” Rawls said following Tuesday’s practice, a big grin lighting up his face. “I’m very excited to be out here.”
Rawls was a practice participant for the first time since suffering a broken ankle and ligament damage in Seattle’s 35-6 victory at Baltimore on Dec. 13, an injury that ended Rawls’ season and kept him sidelined throughout the offseason. The apparent successor to Marshawn Lynch as Seattle’s No. 1 running back was removed from the physically-unable-to-perform list Sunday, and Tuesday he was able to take part in practice on a limited basis, joining some position drills early on before working on the side as the rest of the team conducted 11-on-11 scrimmaging.
“In the last couple days we’ve seen him really take off in bursts, and he’s worked so hard,” Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said. “He’s ready to be out there. We just have to work our way into it and wean him. But it’s really exciting to have him back.”
Rawls announced himself in impressive fashion last season. The undrafted rookie was one of the last players to make the final roster. But when Lynch went down injured, Rawls stepped in and announced himself as the future of Seattle’s running game, gaining 830 yards on 147 carries and leading the league with 5.6 yards per carry. Rawls also ran with a physically-punishing style that mirrored Lynch and enamored him to both the coaches and the fans.
But the injury brought Rawls’ season to a premature end. He underwent surgery shortly following the injury, then spent all of organized team activities and minicamp watching from the sidelines. Rawls said rehabilitating from the injury, the first major injury of his career, was one of the hardest things he’s ever had to deal with.
“Was it tough? Yes. A lot of tears? Yes. But am I hear right now standing and walking and running? Yes. Did it take a lot of work? Yes,” Rawls said.
While Rawls was recovering, the Seahawks drafted three running backs to serve as insurance. Then Rawls was placed on the PUP list at the start of training camp, prompting concerns about whether he would be ready in time for the Sept. 11 season opener against Miami.
But getting back to practice is the first step. Rawls declined to say what the plan was for working him back to full speed, or whether he expected to play in any of Seattle’s preseason games, calling himself day to day. However, he said he’s feeling good and isn’t tentative.
“I’m feeling phenomenal,” Rawls said.
“When I go out there I go out there to work hard,” Rawls added. “I think just like me and every other man in that locker room, any time we come out here and touch this field or touch a weight, we’re at risk. That’s a risk I’m not scared to take. So when I’m out here I’m out here cutting hard, I’m out here running hard, I’m out here working hard for those fellows out there because I’ve done a lot to earn their trust and I’m just trying to keep it.”
Carroll seemed unconcerned about the need for Rawls to see any game action during the preseason, and he said the team was going to take every precaution with Rawls.
“We’re going to be careful, there’s no need to rush him at all,” Carroll said. “He’s a very violent football player and he needs time to get ready to play the way he does, so we’re going to take however long that is. I don’t even have a schedule on that at this point.
“I don’t think there’s anybody in better shape than Thomas, I think he’s put himself in great condition,” Carroll added. “It’ll be hard for us to help him maintain that level, he’s worked so hard. It tears you heart out because he wants to be here so much. But he’s back now and all the good stuff is going to happen.”
Extra points
New offensive lineman Jahri Evans saw his first true action with the team Tuesday. Evans, a six-time Pro Bowler who was signed Saturday, lined up with the third-team offensive line at left guard. Evans was used exclusively as a right guard during his 10 seasons with New Orleans. … Several veterans remained sidelined with minor injuries, including receiver Doug Baldwin (lower leg) and defensive tackle Jordan Hill (groin). Strong safety Kam Chancellor (groin) was back taking part in drills, but was held out of scrimmaging. Rookie running back Alex Collins, the star of Sunday’s scrimmage, was also held out of 11-on-11 drills Tuesday because of a sore ankle. … The Seahawks signed defefensive end and former University of Washington Husky Josh Shirley. Defensive end Tavaris Barnes was waived/injured to make room on the roster for Shirley. … Archbishop Murphy High School graduate Taniela Tupou was back with the defense Tuesday. Tupou, who had been alternating between fullback and defensive tackle, was used as a defensive end Tuesday.
For more on the Seattle sports scene, check out Nick Patterson’s Seattle Sidelines blog at www.heraldnet.com/tag/seattle-sidelines, or follow him on Twitter at @NickHPatterson.
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