Things went from bad to worse for the Seattle Seahawks after Sunday’s backbreaking 27-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, when it was announced postgame that both Chris Carson (hip) and C.J. Prosise (broken arm) are expected to miss the rest of the season.
With Rashaad Penny (ACL) already on the shelf, the Seahawks are down to just one healthy running back, rookie Travis Homer, on the active roster.
The team does have Xavier Turner, who played quite a bit with Seattle during the preseason, on the practice squad, but it’s pretty clear this team will need to find some veteran help on the free-agent market to help get them through their crucial Week 17 matchup with the 49ers, as well as their playoff games.
“We have to get to scrambling, Johnny’s [Schneider] got to get to work and figure out what we’re doing next,” coach Pete Carroll said immediately after the game. “That’s a lot of game for Homer to have to play by himself. So, obviously, we will make some moves here, and figure some stuff out.”
The Seahawks are flying former Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch into town on Monday to visit. If he is healthy, both sides are interested in a reunion and an agreement could come together in short order.
However, Lynch may not be the only signing the team makes (if they sign him at all) and there are still plenty of other options the team could bring in alongside, or instead of, Beast Mode.
Here are six veteran free agent running backs, not including Lynch, who I believe will hear from Pete Carroll and/or John Schneider this week – and my opinion on why they would or wouldn’t be a good fit to sign with the team.