RB Thomas Rawls doubtful, Sunday vs. 49ers very likely Christine Michael’s time

RENTON If it wasn’t going to be already, Sunday now appears to be Christine Michael’s time.

That’s because the Seahawks on Friday listed lead running back Thomas Rawls as doubtful to play Sunday against San Francisco, after he’d missed practices Wednesday and Thursday. The replacement for retired Marshawn Lynch as Seattle’s featured back got kicked in the leg and bruised his shin last weekend in the 9-3 loss at Los Angeles. It was his second game back from a broken ankle and torn ligament Dec. 13.

Michael has averaged 5 yards per carry over the first two games this season, and had 6 yards per rush against the Rams. But he carried the ball just 10 times last week, among the Seahawks’ 61 plays. Expect Michael on Sunday against the 49ers to challenge his career high of 17 carries he set in last year’s regular-season finale at Arizona, when both Lynch and Rawls were out injured.

Rookie third-down running back C.J. Prosise is questionable because of a broken finger that kept him out last week. The third-round pick will try to catch passes before Sunday’s game wearing a protective device over his hand.

Tyler Lockett is questionable with a sprained knee but returned to full practice on Thursday and vowed he’s playing “unless I’m dead.”

The complete report, before Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was due to speak to the media following Friday’s indoor practice:

This story was originally published September 23, 2016 at 1:55 PM with the headline "RB Thomas Rawls doubtful, Sunday vs. 49ers very likely Christine Michael’s time."