Will be forced to hope for the best here and likely starting Swift in many spots but my bet is Penny gets the start as stupid as that sounds.
Against the Minn DL, I am not sure Swift would be the play.
Penny is more likely to be the RB1 with Gainwell out. Even with him as a healthy scratch, I don't think Swift has enamored the Staff to be a workhorse RB even just this week.
Minn lost to Baker Mayfield ... TB had no Run Game due to poor OL but Phil OL will make it look very different ....
Seen this a few times and I don't disagree with the possibility Swift may not be viewed as a true #1 by the staff. But why would anyone think that Penny is viewed as a #1 by the staff?
His track record for health is significantly worse than Swift's (believe it or not) and Penny has been running with the 2s & 3s all off-season while Swift & Gainwell were running with the 1s.
If anything I would think Boston Scott is the guy we're all sleeping on.
I am not saying Penny is the RB1 for the team all season, but I am saying this week vs Minn, in a Control the Clock game plan, Penny is more likely to be the Bell-cow RB.
Minn has a Pass heavy offense and can score quick and often with JJ, Addison & TJ taking the Phil Def all over the map. I think the high scoring game plan favors Minn.
I see Phil staff trying to control the clock and maintain a more run balanced offense to keep Minn Offense off the field (like with teams do to KC).
Swift is likely a 3rd & long passing catching role and Scott more of a fill in role.
I don't see Scott as more than 6 touches role. He is a staff favorite but not a big load carrier.
Penny was brought in for this kind of game plan, IMO. It was a tool they went after for a reason and this is how they will deploy him.