Just because training camp and the preseason have wrapped up for the Seattle Seahawks doesn’t mean the competition is over. Coach Pete Carroll is expecting the battles to continue, especially in the run game.

Likely starter Chris Carson and second-year back, Rashaad Penny, will see time sharing the load. Seattle was effective using multiple running backs last season, leading the league in rushing.

“There’s plenty of chances for those guys to battle back and forth,” Carroll said Wednesday. “We’ll go in the direction that we need to go in based on how they perform and all that. Really high expectations. It’s all part of our mentality about the running game. We need these guys. Let the games begin, we’ll see what happens.”

As for the “really high expectations,” Carroll has his sights on Penny to perform at a higher level. The 2018 first-round pick had a vastly improved offseason, capitalizing on the opportunity for extra reps when Carson was out.

“I’m hoping to see him compete to be the best runner in the program – I want to see him be great,” Carroll said. “I’ve told him that a couple different times. He should be going for it in every phase of our game. He’s talented, he’s explosive, he’s in great shape. He’s the smartest he’s ever been, he can catch the football, his pass protection has improved. Every aspect of his game is at it’s best.

“I have the highest of expectations for him and I would talk exactly the same way for Chris and let these guys have at it.”

Carson and Penny will get their first shot in the regular season when the Seahawks open against the Bengals at CenturyLink Field Sunday afternoon.