The Seahawks, who have just three running backs on their active roster with Marshawn Lynch not reporting for training camp, reportedly put three tailbacks through workouts on Saturday.
According to Aaron Wilson of National Football Post, the Seahawks took a look at William Powell (Kansas State), Orwin Smith (Georgia Tech) and Phillip Tanner (Middle Tennessee State), all of whom have previous NFL exposure.
The 26-year-old Powell played in 12 games for the Cardinals in 2012, rushing for 217 yards on 60 carries in 13 games. Powell (5-9, 207) also caught 19 passes for 132 yards. Powell also had a brief stint with the Eagles in 2013, but the club waived him with an injury not long after claiming him from Arizona.
Smith, 23, was on the Packers’ practice squad for part of the 2013 season, his first NFL campaign. The Packers waived Smith (6-0, 205) in April.
Tanner (5-10, 208) has the most experience of the trio. The 25-year-old tailback appeared in 39 regular season games for Dallas from 2011-2013, rushing 56 times for 149 yards and two TDs and catching 9-93-0. The Cowboys did not offer him a contract in restricted free agency.
In addition to having three tailbacks on their roster, the Seahawks have three fullbacks: Derrick Coleman, Kiero Small and Spencer Ware.
Were the Seahawks to add another back, they would have to make a roster move, as they are at the 90-player limit. Lynch — placed on the reserve/did not report list Saturday, per the NFL’s transactions — doesn’t count against the roster limit.