RENTON, Wash. (AP) — When the Seattle Seahawks released their depth chart for the season opener against Miami, there was a surprising hierarchy at running back.

Christine Michael was slotted ahead of Thomas Rawls.

Of course, it was an unofficial depth chart, one that coach Pete Carroll joked about being just that on Wednesday. But it was also an affirmation that even though Rawls is expected to be the Seahawks' primary ball carrier this season, Michael has done enough since the end of last year to earn himself a share of the time in the backfield.

Carroll wasn't willing to break down how the carries will be split on Sunday against the Dolphins. Rawls was a star last season filling in while Marshawn Lynch was injured, running for 830 yards before breaking his ankle in a December game against Baltimore.

But the Seahawks won't discount what Michael showed in the preseason. With Rawls still recovering, Michael took the carries against the defenses Seattle faced and averaged 6.0 yards per carry.

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