Seattle Seahawks' Christine Michael boosts chance of making roster

RENTON, Wash. -- Seattle Seahawks running back Christine Michael was an afterthought to make the roster as training camp began just over two weeks ago.

And why wouldn't he be?

In three years with Seattle, he did little to make a lasting impression. The Seahawks traded him to Dallas after final cuts last season. The Cowboys released him later in the year. The Washington Redskins released him from their practice squad after a brief stay.

He returned to Seattle in December after injuries to Marshawn Lynch and Thomas Rawls left the Seahawks thin in the backfield, then re-signed with the team this offseason. However, with Rawls coming back from injury and Seattle drafting three running backs in May, Michael seemingly had little chance to make his way onto the roster.

The outlook might be totally different after Michael carried seven times for 44 yards in 17 snaps Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

"He's an NFL football player," Seattle coach Pete Carroll said of Michael. "He really has made it clear that he's serious about the work, he's serious about the consistency. He's taking great pride in the way he's brought it day in and day out, all throughout the offseason and into camp. All of that, and he's an explosive, dynamic athlete."

Michael is more decisive as a runner, takes better care of the football and has stopped trying to juke every player on the field.

"When I was a rookie, I was just out there playing backyard football," Michael said. "Now I'm studying. I'm trusting in my blocks, my reads. Letting my big guys work and then making my cut. I'm running with my eyes now, and I feel like I know what I'm doing now. I'm running with great pace in the backfield and trusting my guys."

Michael has received most of the first-team snaps in practice with Rawls beginning camp on the physically unable to perform list. Despite being activated from PUP last Sunday, Rawls has yet to take part in team drills. In addition, C.J. Prosise has missed all but the first day or camp with a hamstring strain, and Zac Brooks has sat since day three of camp with a hamstring issue.

"We're just going to keep growing with him, and when Thomas gets back out there, those two guys give us a little one-two punch that we're kind of excited about," Carroll said. "I thought Christine did really well. I really liked what he did."