In his third game back with the Seahawks on Sunday -- a 36-6 victory over the Arizona Cardinals -- Michael rushed for 100 yards for the first time in his career.
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Running back Christine Michael has played in only three games for the Seahawks this season, a small sample size, but the bite-sized results are enough to make you wonder: Has Michael tapped into his vast, raw potential?
Michael rushed for 100 yards for the first time in his career, and he did it against an Arizona defense that ranked fourth against the run. Michael finished with 102 yards on 17 carries (6.0 yards per carry), and is averaging 4.9 yards per carry in his three games with the Seahawks.
Offensive tackle Garry Gilliam said Michael looked more comfortable with the offense and how the line maneuvers.
“I think the numbers show it, and the way he was running,” Gilliam said. “A couple plays we didn’t block up so well, but he was still able to get positive yards out of it. I think you saw a different type of running back from what he’s shown in the past.”
Michael spun away from a defensive lineman behind the line of scrimmage and gained 12 yards. He plowed through a defensive back. He broke one run for 45 yards.
Who knows what this means for the rest of this season, or especially his future with the Seahawks? Marshawn Lynch is expected back with the team Monday, and it’s hard to imagine that Lynch doesn’t get the majority of the carries if he can play. That’s the way he’s always done it, banged up or not.
But Michael has looked promising since rejoining the Seahawks after the team traded him and two other teams released him.