RENTON -- If a nagging hip injury is enough to keep Chris Carson sidelined this Sunday, Mike Davis is ready to assume the starting role.
It's a mind set Davis says he has every week regardless of circumstance.
"Like I do every week, prepare that I'm going to be the starter so if it does come up I don't get blindsided," Davis said.
Carson was only able to play about a quarter-and-a-half in Sunday's 25-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He had been limited in practice on Thursday and Friday and was considered to be a game-time decision. He was cleared to play against the Chargers and gained 40 yards on eight carries before exiting the game in the second quarter.
Carson's hip tightened up on him and he was seen with an ice park wrapped around his left thigh on the sidelines.
"The soft tissue thing is kind of hanging with him a little bit," head coach Pete Carroll said. "This hip thing is still kind of there and we've got to wait and see how it comes out at the end of the week."
Davis has been the next back up in the team's rotations behind Carson with Rashaad Penny and C.J. Prosise is much lesser roles. Penny has been the third option with Prosise frequently inactive in recent weeks due to the need for active roster spots at other positions.
"Mike has been very versatile in the throwing game, all the styles of runs, he's just been really good at it and been very effective so we're just going with what looks right," Carroll said. "It has nothing to do with where you got picked or where you came from. Just waiting for the opportunity to present itself to the guys can show what they can do. That's not just the running back spot. That's all our spots."
Seattle's rushing attack was quite effective in the team's first game against the Rams last month. The Seahawks rushed for 190 yards with Carson going for 116 and Davis getting 68. The offensive line took great pride in commanding the line of scrimmage against the Rams front of Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers and Ndamukong Suh. It's formula they may need to succeed again if they want to have a chance to knock off the Rams this week, who are 10-point favorites against Seattle.
Carroll said Carson's injury is different than the one that forced him to miss the Arizona game earlier this season. He did leave open the opportunity for Carson to play even if he's unable to practice this week, though having three other capable backs makes that a less pressing decision.
"It depends on the week, depends how it's going, depends how he looks and all that. He certainly could play (if he didn't practice). We've got plenty of guys to go to. We don't have to just rely on one guy right now so if he's not making it through the week and looking really good and we clear him for the game, then we would operate accordingly with that."
Penny, the team's first-round pick this year, would get a chance at an increased role this week should Carson be unable to play.
"He needs to just be more involved," Carroll said of Penny. "I think he just needs to keep getting attempts and get out there and play. ... "He's got a lot to offer us that we know of and so it's just going to be a matter of time."
Prosise will get more opportunities this week as well should Carson be unable to play.
"He's dying to play," Carroll said of Prosise. "He's frustrated by not being able to play. He's healthy and he's talented. It's just a matter of getting the spots right so that we can get him on the field on game day but he's really... I love what C.J. can do and so we feel like we have a lot of depth and we're not dependent on just one guy playing. We love the way Chris has played but we've got other guys that can go too so we'll see what happens this week."
Carson was one of six players to miss practice on Wednesday. Safety Bradley McDougald, right guard D.J. Fluker, cornerback Neiko Thorpe, wide receiver Doug Baldwin and defensive tackle Shamar Stephen.
McDougald (knee) and Fluker (calf) both were forced out of Sunday's game with injuries as well. McDougald didn't return after halftime outside of one play when Tedric Thompson had the wind knocked out of him. Fluker missed the final two drives of the game.
Carroll said they were going to "hold (McDougald) out for a little bit" to give his knee injury time to recover. Fluker - who Carroll had said on Monday should be OK - felt more sore on Wednesday and was given the day off.
Stephen (foot) has dealt with the foot injury for a few weeks running but has continued to play. Thorpe has missed three games with a groin injury. Baldwin's injury is a new addition to the list.
Injury Report:
Photo Credit: SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 07: Running Back Mike Davis #27 of the Seattle Seahawks runs the ball in the first half against the Los Angeles Rams at CenturyLink Field on October 7, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)