RENTON, Wash. -- Even though he hasn't been able to see them play together yet, Pete Carroll sounds like he already has given plenty of thought to a Seattle Seahawks running back tandem that features C.J. Prosise and Thomas Rawls. 

"With C.J., the versatility of all the things he seems to be able to do at this point, and knowing that there's a really style to Thomas that we’re really looking forward to seeing, it could be a real nice matchup," Carroll said. " We'll see how that works." 

Carroll was asked specifically about Prosise and Rawls.  He had a chance to mention how Christine Michael might fit into the mix but opted not to do so. 

Michael popped up on the injury report Friday with a hamstring injury and was listed as questionable.  He played in the game but was on the field for just 11 snaps, rushing five times for 22 yards and catching one pass for 4 yards. 

Asked about Michael's hamstring, Carroll said simply, "He's fine." 

The Seahawks' running game has gone in several different directions so far this season.  Through 10 games, they have had three guys start games.  But signs are pointing toward a Prosise/Rawls combination down the stretch. 

Rawls (fibula) has not played since Week 2, but the team is hoping he returns Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. 

"I'm really excited about this one because Thomas is practicing to play this week," Carroll said. " That's where it is.  We've come to that conclusion.  He got himself ready to play this week mentally, and he's ready to go at it.  We have to get through the days and the work and all that, but with some optimism here, at the end of the week he can come out playing.  I've done that before to you guys, and it hasn't worked out, but this one I'm really hoping it's going to come together." 

Given that Rawls has been dealing with a lower-body injury, conditioning could be an issue.  Carroll said Rawls looked great last week, but there's still a good chance that he'll be eased back in. 

As for Prosise, he took the starting job from Michael last week and suddenly looks like someone who could be a difference-maker down the stretch. 

The rookie was the Seahawks' leading rusher and receiver against the New England Patriots, totaling 153 yards on 24 touches. 

"I think what stands out the most is the variety of things that he did, that he looked good at," Carroll said. " He ran the ball inside.  He ran the ball outside.  He caught the ball well in the short passing game to make some first downs, and he caught the big ball down the sidelines.  He got smacked on the catch and held onto it, just like the receiver that he has in his background." 

The team will see how Rawls looks later in the week, but given how much the Seahawks are relying on the passing game right now, the versatility of Prosise really fits well. 

The Seahawks were not prolific with the running game (26 carries for 96 yards) against the Patriots, but they were more balanced than they had been previously.  Carroll said it was a combination of better run blocking (he singled out center Justin Britt specifically) and Prosise hitting the hole. 

The offense has a lot of moving parts at running back, but the emergence of Prosise and the potential of return of Rawls has Carroll optimistic that the Seahawks can get the ground game going down the stretch.