Despite on-brand injury optimism from Pete Carroll in September, Rashaad Penny was not able to return by midseason. But a more concrete Penny status update emerged Friday.
The third-year running back will “for sure” return to practice next week, Carroll said (via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta, on Twitter). Stashed on the PUP list, Penny has not played since suffering an ACL tear last December. And the Seahawks have seen injury issues crop up at running back this season.
Both Chris Carson and 2020 Penny stand-in Carlos Hyde have missed time due to injuries this season, leading to Seattle relying more on Russell Wilson earlier in the year. The team still ranks 24th in rushing attempts (but 11th in yardage) entering Week 13. With Penny and Chris Carson handling ball-carrying duties last season, the Seahawks logged the third-most rushing attempts and ranked fourth on the ground. Penny boasted a team-high 5.7 yards per carry, gaining 370 yards on the ground last season, but the former first-round pick has played behind Carson throughout his career.
The Seahawks will need to decide on Penny’s fifth-year option by May. Although Carson’s contract expires at season’s end, it may still be a stretch for Seattle to pick up Penny’s option — since the 2018 first-round class will have their options fully guaranteed. Previous Round 1 picks’ options were guaranteed for injury only. Penny, 24, does have a career 5.3 yards-per-carry average and low mileage (150 carries). A late-season return would help the San Diego State alum get his career back on track.
Carson and Penney are good backs but a bit fragile. Not sure a fifth year option is a good idea but they need to pick one and maybe look for a more durable back. Just can’t pay them a ton of money. Need to find another Beast Mode Jr on the backfield.
Should even consider declining and re-signing at a lower rate, or not sure if they can decline and agree to extension
Compass- They already have Beastmode 2.0 in CC32 but as you say, he has had injury issues. It’s a shame Carson can’t stay healthy because I think he’s one of the best in the NFL when he is on the field. Not only is he one of the best but he gives the Seahawks their identity. That brutish personae was on show during his 16y TD on MNF. That physical and determined effort encapsulates the type of back he is and shows you why he is much like Marshawn- the very heart and soul of the team.
We definitely need to be wise with our contract offer to CC32 but I really hope JS/PC don’t low ball him because when he’s on the field and healthy we are a very difficult team to beat.
A PENNY for your thoughts !!
Seahawks soon will have a 3 headed monster in the backfield. Hopefully we will stay healthy during the run-in so we can run people over with the CHP!!!
Penny is a bust. It hurts to think that the Seahawks drafted him ahead of Chubb. That would be a beastly backfield with Nick Chubb and Chris Carson! Penny and Hyde should both be gone at season’s end. James Robinson went undrafted!