After losing three fumbles in as many games, Chris Carson’s status as the Seattle Seahawks’ lead back is in question. Quarterback Russell Wilson, however, is trying to help Carson past it.
Wilson admitted that he’d sought out Carson to provide him some encouragement and historical context, reminding the running back that even the legendary Walter Payton once had fumbling issues.
“I just kind of went up to him and said, ‘You know, some of the greatest running backs (like) Walter Payton fumbled, too,'” Wilson said, via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. “He just kind of laughed and I said ‘It’s going to happen. Just realize you’re a great football player. Go for it.'”
Wilson is correct. Payton had 30 fumbles in his first three NFL seasons, including 11 in 14 games in 1977. He shaped up and fumbled just 56 times in his last ten seasons. That’s an encouraging reminder that this need not define Carson, but his current fumbles are an issue, and he does need to shape up quickly or risk losing carries to Rashaad Penny.
