The National Football League is officially back.

With the preseason in the rearview mirror, the Seattle Seahawks will kick off their season at home against the Miami Dolphins.

Coming off a loss away to Carolina in the divisional round of last season’s playoffs, the Hawks will be looking to achieve the ultimate goal of winning it all this time around. That process starts with the Dolphins at CenturyLink Field.

While Seattle returns the same nucleus that has helped shape the team into yearly Super Bowl contender, there are some new starters for the Hawks.

With Marshawn Lynch retired, Thomas Rawls and Christine Michael will feature against Miami. C.J. Prosise could also see work out of the backfield as a pass-catching weapon.

Up front, Seattle starts a new-look offensive line that features the likes of Bradley Sowell, Mark Glowinski, and Garry Gilliam.

On the other side of the ball, Seattle replaces departed starting linebacker Bruce Irvin with Mike Morgan. Cassius Marsh could also see time at the position.

Elsewhere on defense, the team will work in a number of new players along the defensive line. Quinton Jefferson, Garrison Smith, Jarran Reed and Tony McDaniel have joined the likes of Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril as pass rushers on Pete Carroll’s team.

Image via Elaine Thompson/AP
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett runs onto the field prior to an NFL game | Source: Elaine Thompson - AP

Miami starting Arian Foster

On the other side of the field on Sunday, the Dolphins will be working with a new starting running back of their own.

Arian Foster takes over for Lamar Miller, who ironically signed with Foster’s old employers in Houston.

In just four games with the Texans in 2015, Foster carried the ball 63 times for 163 yards and a score. He also added 227 yards and two touchdowns on 22 catches. The running back’s season was shortened by injury, but he’s back with Miami this season.

Foster will certainly be challenged in his regular-season debut for Miami. Seattle’s defense finished last season having allowed the fewest rushing yards in the league. Despite the changes at linebacker and along the defensive line, expect the Seahawks’ defense to be just as stout as ever.

Injury Report

For the Seahawks, tight end Nick Vannett (ankle) is listed as out for the game. Fellow tight end Jimmy Graham (knee) and offensive lineman Germain Ifedi (ankle) are both listed as questionable.

On the other side of the ball, Miami will be without center Mike Pouncey (hip) and running back Jay Ajayi (NIR). Defensive end Terrence Fede (knee), defensive tackle Earl Mitchell (calf), wide receiver DaVante Parker (hamstring), linebacker Jelani Jenkins (knee) and running back Isaiah Pead (hamstring) are all listed as questionable.

Kickoff

The game is scheduled to kick off at 4:05 PM Eastern Time. It will be broadcast nationally on CBS

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About the author
Ben Rosener
Ben Rosener is a sports writer born and raised in the greater Seattle area. He is a college who is the editor and founder of two sports websites, Kingdome of Seattle Sports and Know Hitter, the latter of which is a member of the BBA. Ben’s work can also be found on the digital pages of Bleacher Report, USA Today, World Soccer Talk and FanSided among others. He only refers to himself in the third person for bios.