Last season, the Seattle Seahawks took a big step forward on offense. Traditionally a conservative team that relied on its defense to win games in the Russell Wilson era, the Seahawks' offense finished the 2015 season ranked fourth in yards per game (378.6) and points (26.4). But as the team gears up for its offseason program next week, the status of two key offensive players remains up in the air.
Tight end Jimmy Graham and running back Thomas Rawls are both recovering from serious injuries. Graham tore his patellar tendon in late November (a notoriously challenging injury to return from), and Rawls fractured his ankle in December. Yet despite the severity of their injuries, Seahawks general manager John Schneider would be surprised if both players weren't able to go in Week 1.
"Yeah, at this point, I would be," Schneider said. "Right now, their rehab's going well. We're trying to get them ready for the season. We're not trying to get them ready to play Minnesota in the preseason."
The GM explained that both players are progressing as expected and that neither is significantly further along than the other. He did say, though, that he doesn't know if either would appear in a preseason game.
Schneider complimented Sam Ramsden, the team's director of player health and performance, and his sports-science program for their help in the rehab process.
"With Sam Ramsden, they do a great job of evaluating exactly where the guy is in his rehab," Schneider said. "Specific players and knowing the individual player and how his body functions and where his optimum levels are and where his deficiencies are. So just monitor him all the way through."
Following the retirement of Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks expect Rawls to be the primary back. The rookie impressed last season, leading the NFL in yards per carry and average yards after contact. Backup Christine Michael was also re-signed, but Schneider admitted that further changes to the position could still be coming.
"That's still a position we're going to be working on," he said.
In the passing game, Graham didn't always look comfortable in Seattle's scheme and Wilson may not have targeted the tight end as often as he could have. But coach Pete Carroll thought that Graham was coming into his own right before the injury, and the Seahawks are committed to getting him back on the field. Until that time, Luke Wilson projects to be the starter.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
