Hawks looking thin in backfields for Tampa

Seahawks bandagesThe Seahawks have weathered a few injuries to key players — Russell Wilson, Kam Chancellor and Michael Bennett, especially — this season, but they have yet to endure the kind of bloodbath they took in their 26-15 win over Philly on Sunday.

No fewer than 10 players left the game with various ailments, and the Hawks are looking at playing without at least four key guys next Sunday in Tampa Bay.

The biggest concerns this week are Legion of Boomers Earl Thomas and DeShawn Shead, plus the running back position.

Thomas and Shead both have hamstring strains, which normally would put them out up to two weeks.

But, as Pete Carroll said, “There’s nobody less normal than Earl and Shead. Those guys are rare guys, so we’ll see what happens, see if they adapt and see what can happen.”

Shead felt his hamstring tighten Saturday but still thought he was going to be able to play. “He felt just a little bit of tightening (during the game),” Carroll said, “and we said let’s not take a chance because that’s when you really strain it badly.”

With Prosise out at least 4-6 weeks (more if he ends up on IR) and Troymaine Pope out indefinitely with a “legitimate” high ankle sprain, the Hawks are short of running backs. In his first game off a broken leg, Thomas Rawls got “banged up” and was a “little bit trashed today,” Carroll said.

“He threw his body around,” Carroll said. “He was like in a train wreck. He’ll be taken care of this week.”

Rawls looked a lot like his 2015 self, barreling into defenders while also making darting cuts and playing with the sudden violence he showed so much as a rookie. He gained 57 yards on 14 carries.

“He played great and he looked terrific,” Carroll said. “A little out of control a couple times, but he’s going to be on the verge of being out of control if he’s at his best anyways, so that’s just fine with us. He is banged up and we look to get him back by Sunday.”

The Hawks also will hope to have Brock Coyle (sprained foot), Tanner McEvoy (sprained toe) and Luke Willson (just back from knee surgery).

“All of them looked like they’ll be all right,” Carroll said. “We’ll have to wait and see though.”

George Fant left the game for a while with a shoulder issue, but Carroll said he seems fine for Tampa.

The defense would get a big boost if Michael Bennett could return to play his former team. He has missed the last three games and is nearly recovered from knee surgery.

“We’ll see how far he can take it and we’ll find out,” Carroll said. “The trainers and doctors are open for if he can make it back, he can play. We’ll see if he’s able to do that.”

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