He’s back: Seahawks re-sign RB Christine Michael for post-Lynch backfield

The Seahawks’ initial, post-Marshawn Lynch backfield has some new-old familiarity.

Seattle announced Thursday it had re-signed free-agent running back Christine Michael. The then-fed-up Seahawks traded their former second-round draft choice to Dallas in September, but after the Cowboys and then Redskins let him go he returned late last season because of injuries and impressed Seahawks coaches with how humbled and re-dedicated he was.

Now Michael is the primary backup on the roster behind Thomas Rawls, the 2015 rookie breakout star. That’s the 1-2 lineup for now in the first month of Seattle’s life without the retiring Lynch.

Seahawks coaches had been frustrated for years that Michael hadn’t seized his opportunities and maximized his talent. His chances seemed to run out in Seattle when the team traded him to the Cowboys. But when Lynch’s abdominal surgery and Rawls’ broken ankle and torn ligaments led to the Seahawks bringing back Michael in November, Michael flourished. Michael rushed for 192 yards on 39 carries in three regular season games then had 71 yards on 20 runs in the wild-card playoff win at frozen Minnesota.

Also Thursday, the team announced linebacker Eric Pinkins had signed his tender as an exclusive-rights free agent for 2016.

This story was originally published March 17, 2016 at 12:20 PM with the headline "He’s back: Seahawks re-sign RB Christine Michael for post-Lynch backfield."