4 Seahawks who cannot be relied on for success in 2022

Chris Carson

Next year, the Seahawks running back group could be hurting, both literally and metaphorically. Of the backs currently under contract for 2022 are Carson, DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer. Only Dallas has played every game of 2021 and the only one who appears to have the talent to stay healthy. But Dallas also does not appear to be capable of being an every-down back like Carson is.

Carson hurt his neck in Week 4 and missed the rest of the season and the injury required surgery. This isn’t the first time Carson has gotten hurt and missed what are normally the most important games of the year for a team that almost always makes the playoffs. In 2017, 2019 and this year, Carson wasn’t able to finish the season. 2017 and 2019 were playoff years.

I should be clear that I really like Carson as a running back. He fits what Pete Carroll likes in a running back; He is big and can move piles of tackles to gain an extra yard or three. Carson gains yards that most backs cannot. But Carson’s bruising style also takes a toll on his own body.

I am not sure Carson ever plays again. There was actual speculation about that earlier this year before Carson had surgery and after his neck injury. 12s have seen Kam Chancellor and Cliff Avril never play after neck issues. Hopefully, Carson comes back to play in 2022 and is healthy and productive but relying on that to happen seems like a mistake.