Chris Carson Showing Why He’s the Clear No. 1 Back in Seattle

One week after a head-scratching two-fumble preseason outing against the Chargers, Chris Carson got back to showing why he’s earned the Seahawks’ starting running back spot the last two fall camps.

In the first half of a 21-20 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Friday, Carson was efficient and effective. And this is against mostly first-teamers from the No. 2 rushing defense in the National Football League last year.

Carson showed off his patience and field visiont while putting Seattle on the board with this 6-yard touchdown run.

CHRIS CARSON HYPE HYPE HYPE pic.twitter.com/4m5a1GZDAN

— Ben Baldwin (@benbbaldwin) August 25, 2018

And he showed off his soft hands and wheels with this catch out of the backfield. Watch as his crosses Vikings starting linebacker Eric Kendricks out of his cleats for about a dozen more yards.

CHRIS CARSON RB1 pic.twitter.com/9zmqYDcU80

— Ben Baldwin (@benbbaldwin) August 25, 2018

“We want to be able to run it and throw it,” seattle head coach Pete Carroll said after the game. “We ran the ball very well on that drive, you saw Brandon contribute in that drive well, Chris looked really good, the guys up front made some really nice blocks, really nice holes for Chris to hit up in there, there was a good third-down run, a good touchdown run. So it was a really nice feeling.”

Another nice feeling is having a lead back he can trust. While first round pick Rashaad Penny is soon to return from a broken finger, Carson had all but wrapped up the competition win earlier in camp, and it’s not just because he runs through second-level defenders like a train.

Carson has been a willing blocker since Day 1 and in his second year seems apt to protect Seattle’s most prized human, Russell Wilson.

On this 34-yard pass to Marcus Johnson, Carson saves the play by picking up the blitzing safety Anthony Harris.

Russell Wilson has been MONEY on these fade routes… Incredible placement on for Marcus Johnson to make this catch. #Seahawkspic.twitter.com/oP8uUd53JU

— Samuel Gold (@SamuelRGold) August 25, 2018

Plays like that won’t make Carson’s next fan-made YouTube reel but they will be highlighted by coaches in Mondays film sessions.

Carson continues to drive this stake into the ground in Seattle and looks poised for a big sophomore season.