What’s this, running backs Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise may be in a mini-competition to return from the injured-reserve list?

“He will be racing–and I say this with all optimism–with Chris Carson to see who comes back first,” the Seahawks’ coach said after Seattle put Prosise on injured reserve Tuesday.

Here’s betting the Seahawks hope Carson wins that race. Or at least that Prosise doesn’t get yet hurt again by it.

The team put Prosise on IR because the perpetually injured third-down back was out of ankles to sprain. He got his second high-ankle sprain in three months, on the other leg, during the second half of last week’s win at Arizona.

For Carson eight weeks is in time for the Dec. 3 home game against Philadelphia. Sure, the Seahawks (6-3) could use Carson against the Eagles (9-1) to spark a running game that remains dead with Thomas Rawls the current No.-1 back and Eddie Lacy sidelined recently by a strained groin. Quarterback Russell Wilson is this team’s leading rusher , and most of his 290 yards on the ground have been on scrambles away from pressure on pass plays.

But Carroll is talking later than early December that for Carson’s possible return, perhaps into early January and the playoffs, if Seattle gets that far.

“We will see what happens down the road,” Carroll said, “with the thought that hopefully we have a chance to keep playing and we got some games left, and we will see what happens when we get there.”

“He just looks good working out. I’m pretty optimistic about him,” Carroll said of Carson, a favorite of the coach’s since the day Seattle drafted him. “I’m hoping he can make it back and finish some football this year. I don’t know.

“I’m looking at it about the same as C.J. We will see what happens. And the docs would be mad at me for telling you that, but I’m hoping that is what is happening. So, what the heck?” TNT