Houston Texans running back Carlos Hyde #23 during an NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (Michael Zito/AP Images for Panini)

Houston Texans running back Carlos Hyde #23 during an NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (Michael Zito/AP Images for Panini)

SEAHAWKS: Seattle signs free agent running back Carlos Hyde

By Gregg Bell | McClatchy News Service

RENTON — The Seahawks were seeking running-back depth.

They just got a 1,000-yard back to be a backup.

Seattle and veteran free agent Carlos Hyde have an agreement on a one-year contract that could be worth up to $4 million, including incentive bonuses, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network Friday afternoon.

That contract is likely full of roster and yardage-milestone money Hyde would become more likely to earn if Rashaad Penny remains sidelined well into the 2020 season. Penny, the team’s first-round draft choice in 2018, had reconstructive knee surgery in December.

Up to $4 million was what Seattle was thought to have offered former Atlanta back Devonta Freeman, who turned it down.

Thing is, if Penny doesn’t come back to anywhere near full health—or if Chris Carson (26 in September) continues his trend back to junior college of not being able to complete an entire season injury-free—the Seahawks will gladly pay up to $4 million to have the powerful Hyde as an option for Carroll’s run-based offense.

Hyde, 28, is former lead back for San Francisco who has been with four teams since leaving the 49ers following the 2017 season. He rushed for a career-high 1,070 yards and played in his first playoff game last season for the Houston Texans.

Seattle has Carson coming off a season-ending cracked hip, though he did not need surgery for it. He and the Seahawks believe their lead back, who’s gained more than 2,300 yards the last two years combined, will be ready for the start of the 2020 season. It’s the final year of Carson’s rookie contract.

Penny had tore multiple ligaments in his knee in December. He is likely to start the 2020 season on the physically-unable-to-perform list. That would sideline him for at least the first six games.

This offseason Penny has been incrementally increasing his rehabilitation work, including on an exercise bike and footwork agility drills. But his return to play remains an unknown on a horizon more distant than Carson’s.

Hyde was a second-round pick by the 49ers in 2014 out of Ohio State. He ran for a career-high eight touchdowns with 940 yards for San Francisco in 2017.

The Seahawks have not ruled out Marshawn Lynch playing for them again in 2020. But signing Hyde shows that Lynch is unlikely to sign on again to anything but another special, partial-season deal with Seattle, to fill in if injuries happen again during the season as they do so often at running back in the NFL.

More in Sports

The top three finishers in the women's masters short course race of the Gravel Unravel this weekend celebrate in Quilcene receiving their medals. From left are Jennifer Ritter of Boise, Idaho, third, Emiko Atherton of Seattle, first, and Shaun Baesman of Bainbridge, second. (David Goetze)
GRAVEL UNRAVEL: Big hills, thick clouds and close finishes

It wasn’t as muddy as some past years, but the… Continue reading

The Port Angeles Illusion fastpitch softball team won the 14U C state championship Sunday by beating the Bonney Lake Firecrackers 13-3 in the title game. From left, top row, are Jenessa Balch, assistant coach Leeah Faris, coach Warren Stevens, Teyah Elofson, Riley Nichols, Brooklyn Rondeau, Misty McNeely, McKenna Cox, Sophia Calderon, Britney Rowland and Greg Faris. From left bottom row, are Ayla Balch, Kylin Weitz, Alexia Fuller, Mattie Messenger, Tyann Connary, Kailyn Crowder and Pearl Salazar.
STANDALONE PHOTO: Illusion 14U are state champs

The Port Angeles Illusion fastpitch softball team won the 14U C state… Continue reading

Wilder Baseball Club.
AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL: Wilder Jr. shuts out Wollochet behind DeLeon

Wilder Junior completed a sweep over Wollochet with four-hit… Continue reading

Port Angeles Lefties.
WEST COAST LEAGUE: Lefties swept by first-place Apple Sox

Despite a grand slam home run from Jeremy Giesegh, the… Continue reading

Strait Slice Pizza won the Peninsula Soccer League championship this weekend. From left, kneeling (not including children), are Kaye Thomas, Kelsey Kuhn, Beckie Lee, Mel Messineo, Taryn Asmus, Victoria Jones and Jack Waknitz. From left, standing, are Sam Havens, Ian Miller, Christine Loewe, Alli Roth, Aaron Lee, Kyle Henderson, Jimmy Quigley, Luke Strong-Cvetich, Zach Gray, Isaiah Jindrich and Minh Pham-Bui.
PENINSULA SOCCER LEAGUE: Strait Slice league champions

Strait Slice Pizza won the Peninsula Soccer League championship this weekend. From… Continue reading

Wilder Senior’s Bryant Laboy hits a chopper against Whatcom Post No. 7 while Landen Olson waits in the on-deck circle. Wilder Senior was able to win the pitchers’ duel with a walk-off hit in the bottom of the seventh by Braydan White. (Pierre LaBossiere/Peninsula Daily News)
AMERICAN LEGION: Wilder Senior wins four straight

Senior’s Ethan Staples fires no-hitter

Port Angeles Lefties.
WEST COAST LEAGUE: Lefties drop pair of games to Wenatchee

The Port Angeles Lefties couldn’t have had two more different… Continue reading

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Lefties first baseman Will White tries to catch Seattle Gumberoos baserunner Eoin Buechs off the bag during Thursday's game at Port Angeles Civic Field.
PORT ANGELES LEFTIES: Lefties sweep the Gumberoos after 9-1 victory

The Port Angeles Lefties completed a three-game sweep over… Continue reading

Crab season begins in marine areas surrounding the North Olympic Peninsula on July 3. (Annie Johnson/WDFW)
OUTDOORS: Recreational crabbing season to open July 3

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Puget Sound… Continue reading

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife completed the purchase late last month of the Sekiu boat ramp. (WDFW)
OUTDOORS: WDFW completes purchase of Sekiu boat launch

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has finalized its… Continue reading

Westport won its second straight Olympic Junior Babe Ruth championship, beating Local 155 6-3 on Wednesday. Front row, on knee, is Kade Johnstad. Middle row, from left, is bat boy Hans, Tristan Konopaski, Kayden Morrison, Zach Clay, Abe Brenkman, Easton Prchal, Parker Pavlak, Lane Wilson, Noah Johnstad, Jay Lieberman, Easton Prchal, Aidan Smith, Dakota Morrison and assistant coach Jared Johnstad. Back row, from left, is assistant coach Nick Cannady, head coach Carey Pavlak and assistant coach Matt Prchal.
OLYMPIC JUNIOR BABE RUTH: Westport wins back-to-back titles

Westport won back-to-back Olympic Junior Babe Ruth championships, beating… Continue reading

Port Angeles Lefties.
PORT ANGELES LEFTIES: Lefties win second straight over Seattle

The Port Angeles Lefties beat the Seattle Gumberoos 7-2… Continue reading