Fantasy Football: Seattle Seahawks RB Thomas Rawls could still get "majority" of carries

SEATTLE, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins will be the "second preseason game" for Thomas Rawls.

That's not exactly music to the ears of his fantasy owners. Typically in preseason games, the stars play in limited fashion, ducking out after a few series. That could be what happens with Rawls.

But despite Carroll's comments, ESPN's Sheil Kapada wrote: "If he plays like the guy who led the NFL in yards per carry last year and feels good physically, Rawls could get the majority of the carries."

"Just in the amount of plays," Carroll told reporters Wednesday. "It's the second preseason game for him, if you look at it that way, and we're trying to take care of him as we've said all along, in every way that we can. We're just going to watch and see how he does and how he handles it, that's all. Just see how he handles it. That would be his only restriction, is how he's taking the rigors of the game."

On Tuesday, the Seahawks listed Christine Michael as its starter over Rawls.

Rawls, 23, had 830 yards and four touchdowns on 147 carries last season for the Seahawks. Michael had 157 yards on 26 carries this preseason.

If Rawls had stayed healthy and was prepared for the Week 1 match-up, he would certainly be a top-10 play in Week 1. The Miami Dolphins allowed the most fantasy points per game to running backs in 2015. Michael is a high-end RB2 and a solid flex play this week. Rawls could still move into RB2 consideration, but currently appears to be a shaky flex option in deeper leagues.

Rawls was not listed on the Seahawks Week 1 injury report and is practicing fully. He is expected to be on a snap count against the Dolphins.

This situation remains one to monitor, probably up until Sunday's kickoff.

"Did they tell me that it was going to be tough to get back? Yeah. But, I know that I'm built for it and I'm proud to say where I'm from. I'm from Flint, Michigan, where you've gotta be tough. And there is nothing that can stop me," Rawls told reporters last month.