| Advertisement |
RENTON, Wash., - The Seattle Seahawks may have found their successor to Marshawn Lynch. Thomas Rawls, an undrafted rookie out of Central Michigan, rushed for 209 yards and scored two touchdowns - one rushing and one receiving - in Seattle's 29-13 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Advertisement
Rawls was making his third legitimate start in place of Lynch, who missed the game due to an abdominal injury. Rawls carried 30 times for 209 yards, which trails only the 266 yards of Shaun Alexander against Oakland in 2001 for most in team history.
"I never want to let anybody on this team down," Rawls said. "That's why when I go out there I try to give as much as I can. I try to play until I can't. I just don't want to let anybody on this team down."
Rawls has gained at least 100 yards in three out of four games in which he's received at least 10 carries in the game. Rawls had 104 yards on 16 carries against Chicago, 169 yards on 23 carries against Cincinnati and now Sunday's effort against the 49ers. Rawls also caught three passes for 46 yards and a touchdown.
His 255 total yards from scrimmage are third-most in history behind Alexander's 273 and Steve Largent's 261 against Detroit in 1987.
"We're all just fired up about what Thomas Rawls did," coach Pete Carroll said. "To see a young guy come through and be so physical and so tough and to make the most of an opportunity. It shouldn't be a surprise to us because he's really played well when he's had his chance to start."
Meanwhile, Lynch traveled to Philadelphia on Monday to meet with Dr. William Meyers regarding his abdominal injury. Carroll said they couldn't rule out the possibility of Lynch having a sports hernia that could require surgery.
"This will be a really important couple days for him," Carroll said.
Lynch has already missed 3 1/2 games due to injury this season and could potentially be sidelined for much longer this year. In addition, Lynch is scheduled to make $9 million in 2016 while Rawls will make just $525,000 on his rookie contract.
Lynch has been banged up most of the season. He's appeared on the injury report with hamstring, calf and abdominal injuries. His back can flare up at any time and Carroll noted a neck issue at one point earlier this season as well.
Lynch will be evaluated on Tuesday but it's unlikely he'll be able to play this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. "I don't know about that now. It's legitimately bothering him. He would have played yesterday if he could have," Carroll said. "That's why they treat you. They'll treat him back there. Maybe the docs have got something they can help him with. I don't know."
With the way Rawls is playing and Lynch possibly breaking down, it could be really difficult to justify bringing Lynch back with that inflated salary next year.
REPORT CARD VS. 49ERS
PASSING OFFENSE: A-minus. Russell Wilson completed 24 of 29 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns. His 82.8 completion percentage is a career-high. It's his first three-touchdown game of the season and only second game of the year with multiple touchdown passes. Seattle also converted a season-high 57 percent on third down.
RUSHING OFFENSE: A. Thomas Rawls' 209 yards rushing was the second-most in franchise history behind only Shaun Alexander's 266 yards against Oakland in Nov. 2001. The offensive line posted its best outing of the season as well, opening up holes for Rawls to take advantage of.
PASS DEFENSE: B. Seattle allowed 100 yards and a touchdown to the tight end duo of Vance McDonald and Garrett Celek. Anquan Boldin also caught five passes for 93 yards.
RUSH DEFENSE: A-minus. The 49ers managed just 37 yards on 12 carries from Shaun Draughn. Blaine Gabbert had 22 yards on four scrambles.
SPECIAL TEAMS: C. Steven Hauschka had an extra point blocked and missed a second. It was his first two misses on extra point attempts this season. Jon Ryan did place three of four punts inside the 49ers 20-yard line.
COACHING: A. The 49ers are no secret to Seattle's staff and they took full advantage against the struggling franchise. The contest was never in doubt. The offense had its best performance of the season and the defense allowed just the one touchdown to McDonald.
