RENTON — Amid all else going on — on the in-flux offensive line, plus the No. 1 strong-side linebacker being in Philadelphia seeing a specialist, Kasen Williams, C.J. Prosise and Zac Brooks returning to practice and Kam Chancellor remaining out injured into next week — Thomas Rawls took the next, big step in his return to full go.
Rawls was back in the starting offense Monday during the Seahawks’ training-camp practice. His dozen or so plays were his first on any field since he broke his ankle and tore ligaments Dec. 13.
It was the next milestone in Marshawn Lynch’s replacement as Seattle’s lead runner playing in the season opener Sept. 11 against Miami. And it’s the most positive one yet.
Rawls caught a swing pass from Russell Wilson in team scrimmaging, six days after he came off the physically-unable-to-perform list.
What he looked like plus what he told me on the edge of the field afterward suggest he will not only start the season’s first game but it may be tough to keep him out of one of the final two preseason games, Aug. 25 against Dallas and Sept. 1 at Oakland.
“Actually, I think I am ahead of schedule,” Rawls said.
“I’m feeling great.
“I’m feeling phenomenal. And just getting the energy back out here with the fellas is making me come alive even more. That’s what this Seahawks team does, with so much passion and the energy of the coaches.”
Coach Pete Carroll called Rawls’ return to full participation, plus Prosise and Brooks being back, “a real boost for us.”
“He looked really good,” Carroll said of Rawls.
“He’s been working really hard, so this isn’t like he’s been waiting to work. He’s been working like crazy. So just to fit him in is what we were trying to do.
“He looked terrific.”
Rawls’ PUP-list partner, tight end Jimmy Graham, watched group work and team scrimmaging. He’s also a week since coming off PUP, after he tore the patellar tendon in his knee Nov. 29.
Williams returned after being out more than a week with a hamstring injury.
The former undrafted and practice-squad wide receiver from the University of Washington finished last season on the active roster. He said that even though he made that initial impression on the coaches and teammates last season, “I always feel like I am fighting and scrapping” for his place. He vowed that he will play Thursday when the Seahawks host Minnesota in their second preseason game.
Mike Morgan missed practice two days after starting the first preseason game at the Chiefs. Cassius Marsh was the No. 1 strongside linebacker Monday. Carroll said Morgan was in Philadelphia seeing a doctor for a groin issue.
“He’s getting work up on something, a groin thing he’s got,” Carroll said.
“He’s OK. He’s going to play on Thursday. But this was the best time to send him out there to get some information we need.”
McDaniel back again
The Seahawks’ have brought back Tony McDaniel for depth on their defensive line.
McDaniel’s representatives posted the news of his contract signing with Seattle on Twitter Monday afternoon.
McDaniel, 31, started for the Seahawks during their 2013 Super Bowl-championship season. They released him last summer, and he played 2015 on a one-year contract for Tampa Bay. He has been a free agent since January.
He’s 6 feet 7 and 305 pounds. He started 29 games in the 2013 and ‘14 regular seasons for the Seahawks. He started three games and appeared in 14 last season with the Buccaneers.
