RENTON, Wash. -- Pete Carroll wasted no time Monday explaining how he felt about the Seattle Seahawks' 25-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

"We come out of this game with a lot of work to do," Carroll said.

And that work is on the offensive side of the ball.

The Seahawks' hallmarks since Russell Wilson became the starting quarterback in 2012 have been a strong running game and explosive plays through the air. But the offense is not producing in either area this season.

The Seahawks are averaging 3.24 yards per carry (30th), and the offense ranks 17th in pass plays of 20-plus yards after finishing fourth in that category last season.

Russell Wilson appears to be over his ankle and pectoral injuries, leaving his sprained MCL as the biggest health hurdle to overcome. Dan Anderson/Zuma Press/Icon Sportswire

Yet Carroll said he feels strongly that the next nine games will yield better results. And there are two factors fueling his optimism.

One is that the Seahawks have been here before. Last year, they averaged 17.38 points per game (28th) in the first half of the season, but that number skyrocketed to 31.25 (second) from Weeks 9 to 17.

It was a similar story in 2012. They were 27th (16.63 points per game) in the first half of the season, but second (29.63) from Week 9 on.

So far this year, the Seahawks' offense is averaging just 17.71 points per game (26th). But that has been with Wilson playing through three different injuries -- a right high-ankle sprain, a sprained MCL in his left knee and a right pectoral strain.

He hasn't been able to scramble or be a factor in the run game like he has been in the past.

"There are some elements that are different in the run game this year than last year at this time," Carroll said. "And part of it is we have not allowed Russell to take off and run very much, and he’s been very, very effective for us over the years, so we’ve had to take care of him, and that’s just part of the way this season has been.

"He’s getting better. And I’m really fired up about that. We’re going to keep progressing as he is able and do what we can do to get back to the kind of mix that we like. I know it’s coming, so I’m pretty optimistic about it. We just need to keep slugging it out here as we find our way, and we’re getting close."

So where do the injuries currently stand?

Carroll said Wilson is no longer wearing any kind of brace on his ankle, and that injury appears to be behind him.

"It just feels limiting," Carroll said. "He would tell you it’s cumbersome. It’s a cumbersome feeling. He still has ankles taped, but just like wearing a knee brace, you feel like you’re carrying a lot of extra weight. It’s not that heavy, but it just feels cumbersome, and there’s a sense of that. And he was really pleased that he made it through without that. He felt better."

Last week, Wilson was limited in practice because of the pectoral strain. The Seahawks were unsure going into Sunday's game what kind of throws he'd be able to make.

And the game plan reflected that. Wilson attempted just one pass of more than 20 yards.

"We were a little concerned because he wasn’t able to really let it go all week long, and so we went in a couple different times where we were a little bit limited in the thought -- could he? -- until we saw him throw the ball around a little bit," Carroll said.

Asked if he thinks the pectoral injury will linger into next week, Carroll said, "No, I do not."

The knee may be the biggest hurdle for Wilson. He has run just 25 times for 44 yards this season.

The Seahawks have relied on a quick passing game in which Wilson gets rid of the ball quickly. But ideally, they want that to be just part of the offense. They want to use bootlegs and other plays in which Wilson can take advantage of his athleticism.

A couple of weeks ago, Carroll seemed unsure about whether Wilson might have to play through injuries the entire season. But he now seems to think the Seahawks will be able to get back to who they are offensively in the final nine games.

"He’s done everything he could possibly do to help us," Carroll said. "If there’s been any limitations, it’s limitations we’ve put on him just to try to keep him safe and keep him sound out there and keep him playing.

"He’s busting at the seams. He’s ready to go. And so, the fact that he made it out again is a really good sign. And I’m anxious for this week to get started."