The Seahawks could be getting a significant weapon back on offense for this week's Divisional Round playoff game at Atlanta. Rookie running back C.J. Prosise, who has missed the past seven games since fracturing his scapula in November, will return to practice Tuesday, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said on 710 ESPN Seattle. That doesn't necessarily mean Prosise will play against the Falcons, but it's a step in the right direction.
"He's going to practice tomorrow, and we'll find out," Carroll said on the Brock and Salk Show. "We don't know how he'll respond to the practice, but he is going to go. We'll see how extensive that will be and we'll just take it one day at time and see. We would love to have him back and we're ready to go—we'll have no problem fitting him in."
If Prosise can return, it would only add to an offense and running game that looks to have taken a step forward in Saturday's win over the Detroit Lions. Prosise has been limited by various injuries this season, but when healthy he has proven to be a dynamic threat as a runner and a pass-catcher. In six games, two of them starts, Prosise has averaged 5.7 yards-per-carry on 30 rushes, including a 72-yard touchdown in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He also had 17 catches for 208 yards, giving him an average of 12.3 yards-per-reception.
While the Seahawks could be getting Prosise back, the status of another important member of their backfield is in question. Fullback Marcel Reese, who helped pave the way for a big rushing performance by Thomas Rawls, has a foot injury that could affect his availability for Saturday's game.
"He got stepped on and his foot was really sore during the game," Carroll said. "They thought maybe he had broken something; he did not. So we'll just see how he recovers this week."
Carroll praised the play of Reece, who joined the team last month following an eight-year career in Oakland.
"He's really a consistent player, he's smart, and he has learned over the years how things fit," Carroll said. "One of the big deals about the fullback position is fitting right. The fullback actually runs the play for the tailback and the tailback reads off of the fullback when he's leading him. So whatever cuts he makes, the tailback follows, then creates from there. Marcel has good instincts, so he fits things up really nicely. The old-style fullback of just bloodying the guy's nose, that's part of it, but that's not the part of it's that most important. We need to fit on the correct guy so we've covered up the right defender, then the running back takes off from there.
"He's a good pass catcher, he moves well, he has good instincts about the passing game, he has a good sense for it. He has a little spark out there, and there are special things we can do with him because Tom (Cable) had him in his background, and they've got some familiarity we can draw from. He has jumped in to help us right away."
Tight end Jimmy Graham, who left the game briefly after taking a hard hit, had the wind knocked out of him, Carroll said. Defensive tackle Tony McDaniel, who missed Saturday's game with a concussion, "is still a question mark," Carroll said. "We don't know about him yet."
Team photographer Rod Mar shares exclusive behind-the-scenes images from the Seahawks' 26-6 win over the Detroit Lions in an NFC Wild Card playoff game on Saturday, January 7 at Seattle's CenturyLink Field.
Jimmy Graham arrives at CenturyLink Field at 145pm, some 3 1/2 hours before kickoff for the wild card playoff game against the visiting Detroit Lions.
At 3:20pm, punter Jon Ryan pauses to sign autographs as he heads back to the locker room after working out on the field.
Linebacker Bobby Wagner, who was named All-Pro this week, acknowledges fans as he heads to the field for his early warmups.
New return specialist Devin Hester fields punts two hours before kickoff.
In the locker room defensive players Frank Clark, Cassius Marsh and Kelvin Taylor relax and hydrate.
Quarterback Russell Wilson, lit by a television light, prepares to the the field for warmups.
Free safety Earl Thomas returned to CenturyLink Field for the first time since injuring his leg, and he joined his Legion of Boom teammates outside the locker room for their pregame huddle.
Earl Thomas watches the Seahawks warmup on the field while in his boot and crutches after injuring his leg during the regular season.
Defensive end Frank Clark takes a moment and walks to a line of fans and family members during pregame warmups.
Doug Baldwin finds space alone in the locker room before kickoff.
Michael Bennett rallies his teammates just before the Seahawks left the locker room for kickoff.
Seahawks players wait impatiently in the tunnel to run onto the field during pregame ceremonies.
Cornerback DeShawn Shead walks through fog and lasers as he waits for his name to be called during pregame introductions.
The arches of CenturyLink Field are temporarily bathed in red, white and blue as a giant American flag is held by military personnel during the playing of the national anthem.
Richard Sherman gathers his teammates around on the Seahawks sideline just prior to kickoff.
Bobby Wagner fights through blocks to tackle Detroit's Zach Zenner in the first quarter.
Russell Wilson tries to fire a pass as he is being dragged down by Detroit's Kerry Hyder.
Seattle head coach Pete Carroll shouts instructions during the first half.
12s let their voices be heard during the first quarter.
The run game began to find its footing in the second quarter as Justin Britt (68), George Fant (74) and company opened holes for running back Thomas Rawls (34).
With the game still scoreless, the Seahawks went for it on fourth down, and receiver Paul Richardson reached around his defender to make this acrobatic touchdown catch.
Seattle's DeShawn Shead deflects a pass just before it reaches Lions receiver Anquan Boldin in the first half.
Thomas Rawls rumbles free up the left side in the second quarter.
In the locker room at halftime, Cliff Avril and Cassius Marsh listen to instructions from defensive coordinator Kris Richard.
Members of the defense pay attention as halftime instructions and adjustments are given in the Seattle locker room.
New Seahawks long snapper Tyler Ott (with ball) recovered a Jon Ryan punt at the four-yard line in his debut with the team.
Thomas Rawls heads upfield on a long run up the right side. Notice quarterback Russell Wilson running behind him.
Near the end of the play, quarterback Russell Wilson provides a block as Thomas Rawls cuts back for a 32-yard gain that would set up a Seattle field goal.
Kicker Steven Hauschka nails a 27-yard field goal in the third quarter to extend Seattle's lead to 13-3.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin gets free in the secondary to haul in a 42-yard reception in the third quarter.
Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls leaps in the end zone after scoring on a four-yard touchdown run to extend Seattle's lead to 19-6 over Detroit.
Seaahawks receiver Doug Baldwin stiff-arms Lions Don Carey in the fourth quarter.
The Sea Gals perform in the south end zone between quarters.
Seattle's Paul Richardson gets a step on Detroit's Nevin Lawson and makes a one-handed catch for 27-yards.
With Detroit's Nevin Lawson holding his right arm, Seattle's Paul Richardson uses his left hand to complete the one-handed catch.
Seattle's Doug Baldwin manages to catch a pass from Russell Wilson with one hand and his leg for a first down on a play that was initially ruled incomplete then overturned on review.
Doug Baldwin signals "first down" as officials review his catch in the fourth quarter.
Receivers Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse celebrate after Baldwin's touchdown gave Seattle a 26-6 lead late in the fourth quarter.
Seattle's Cliff Avril sacks Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford just prior to the two-minute warning.
On the Seahawks sideline, defensive backs Neiko Thorpe and Kam Chancellor celebrate the victory.
Running back Thomas Rawls, who finished the night with 161 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries, walks onto the field after the final whistle.
Former teammates and still friends Jermaine Kearse and Golden Tate pose for a photo together after the game.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin stops to acknowledge a young fan on his way back to the locker room after the win.
Seahawks Doug Baldwin and Bobby Wagner shake hands with Bert Kolde and team owner Paul Allen as they enter the locker room postgame.
Offensive tackle Garry Gilliam shakes hands with safety Kam Chancellor while in the background Richard Sherman talks with GM John Schneider.
Offensive architects Tom Cable and Darrell Bevell chat in the locker room after the win.
Running back Thomas Rawls acknowledges teammates and especially the offensive line including Germaine Ifedi, Justin Britt, Mark Glowinski and Garry Gilliam after the game.
Right tacker George Fant shakes hands with running back Thomas Rawls after the the Seahawks rushed for 177 yards in the win over Detroit.
Michael Bennett brings the Seahawks together in the middle of the locker room postgame.
Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman offers a wave and a smile to the media during his postgame press conference.
Friends and family of receiver Doug Baldwin listen as he speaks to the media after the game in which he caught 11 passes on 12 targets for 104 yards and a touchdown.
