Seattle Seahawks: 5 Burning questions for the 2020 season

4. How will the running backs split carries?

The Seahawks received several blows to their backfield at the end of the 2019 season. Chris Carson suffered a fractured hip in Week 16 while Rashaad Penny tore his ACL in Week 14. Even C.J. Prosise, who is no longer with the team, broke his arm in Week 16. With so many injuries building up, questions arose as to what Seattle’s backfield could look like at the start of the 2020 season.

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In a recent interview with Dave Mahler and Dick Fain on Sports Radio KJR, Seahawks general manager John Schneider said he fully expects Carson will play Week 1. However, Penny could land on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, which means he would miss at least the team’s first six games.

With Penny’s return in question, Seattle recently signed veteran running back Carlos Hyde to a one-year deal. Last season, the 29-year-old running proved he could play a significant role on a winning football team. Hyde carried the ball 245 times for the Houston Texans, amassing a career-high 1,070 rushing yards (4.4 yards per carry) and scoring six touchdowns.

The Hyde signing initially came as a surprise, since the Seahawks also used a fourth-round pick on Miami’s DeeJay Dallas. Dallas joins a backfield that already features his former college teammate, Travis Homer, who saw some action during Seattle’s playoff run last season.

It appears that Carson will start the season off slow before resuming his role as Seattle’s workhorse running back. However, that leaves a deep competition for the backup running back spot that could be further complicated by Penny’s eventual return.