Seattle Seahawks (first stint) Michael was selected in the second round (62nd overall) by the
Seattle Seahawks in the
2013 NFL draft. During his first two seasons, Michael saw limited action as the third running back behind Pro-Bowl veteran
Marshawn Lynch and backup
Robert Turbin. The Seahawks won
Super Bowl XLVIII over the
Denver Broncos and made an appearance in
Super Bowl XLIX against the
New England Patriots during that time. Michael was traded to the
Dallas Cowboys on September 6, 2015, after the Seahawks signed veteran
Fred Jackson. In exchange for Michael, the Seahawks received a conditional seventh-round draft pick (number 225,
Devin Lucien).
Dallas Cowboys Michael was acquired to help improve their depth at
running back with the departure of
DeMarco Murray via free agency. After being inactive the first three weeks, it was rumored during the Cowboys bye week that the coaching staff would possibly name him the starter. Instead Michael played in five games as a backup. On November 17, 2015, he was waived to make room for former Seahawks teammate
Robert Turbin.
Washington Redskins On November 19, 2015, Michael was signed to the
Washington Redskins practice squad. He was released by the team on December 15, 2015.
Seattle Seahawks (second stint) On December 16, 2015, the Seahawks signed Michael after injuries to
Marshawn Lynch and
Thomas Rawls. In his first game back with the Seahawks, Michael rushed for a career-high 84 yards against the
Cleveland Browns. Michael rushed a new career-high of 102 rushing yards, including a 45-yard run, against the
Arizona Cardinals two weeks later. Michael received his first start in a playoff game in Seattle's Wild Card match up against the
Minnesota Vikings and finished the 10–9 victory with 70 rushing yards and 14 receiving yards. On March 17, 2016, Michael signed a one-year contract with the
Seattle Seahawks. In Week 3 of the 2016 season, Michael had a then career game after rushing for 106 yards and two touchdowns against the
San Francisco 49ers. On November 15, 2016, the Seahawks released Michael, despite being their starting running back for seven games and leading the team in rushing yards and attempts. After much speculation, head coach
Pete Carroll cited that his release was due to the return of
Thomas Rawls and the emergence of rookie running back
C. J. Prosise alongside Michael's significant reduction in effectiveness on the field.
Green Bay Packers Michael was claimed off waivers by the
Green Bay Packers on November 16, 2016. On March 23, 2017, Michael re-signed with the Packers on a one-year deal worth $800,000. On May 1, 2017, Michael was released by the Packers after the team drafted three running backs in the
2017 NFL draft.
Indianapolis Colts On June 1, 2017, Michael signed with the
Indianapolis Colts. He was placed on injured reserve on June 15, 2017. On March 21, 2018, Michael re-signed with the Colts. He was released on September 24, 2018.
St. Louis BattleHawks In October 2019, Michael was drafted by the
St. Louis BattleHawks in the
2020 XFL draft. In March, amid the
COVID-19 pandemic, the league announced that it would be cancelling the rest of the season. Playing in all 5 games, he had 59 rushes for 178 yards and a touchdown. He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020. ==NFL career statistics==