RB Rashaad Penny, CAR (1 Viewer)

[Faust]

Speaking Tuesday, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Rashaad Penny (knee, PUP) could resume practice next week. 

Specifically, Carroll was "hoping" that would be the case. Penny hasn't practiced since last Week 14, when he suffered a devastating injury. He is inching close to a return right as the rest of the Seahawks' backfield gets healthy. If Penny actually suits up and is close to his usual self this season, he would provide an intriguing change-of-pace complement to Chris Carson in the Seahawks' high-flying attack. He still isn't worth stashing outside of Dynasty leagues. His potential 2020 role is simply too uncertain. 

SOURCE: Bob Condotta on Twitter 

Nov 24, 2020, 4:15 PM ET

 

[whole-show]

Carroll said the plan is still for Penny to practice next week per Bob Condotta 

 

[Faust]

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said RB Rashaad Penny (knee, PUP) will return to practice next week.

There was hope Penny could practice this week but he never got cleared. The Seahawks' new plan has him returning to individual drills ahead of Week 14. Penny hasn't played in a year and is going to need time to get back to football shape. Seattle has a spot for Penny with Travis Homer (wrist, knee) sidelined, but anything they get from him this season should be considered a bonus.

SOURCE: Seattle Times

Dec 5, 2020, 10:39 AM ET

 

[Faust]

RASHAAD PENNY RB, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Seahawks designated RB Rashaad Penny (knee) and CB Quinton Dunbar to return off Injured Reserve.

The Seahawks are starting to get much healthier at RB just as the season winds down. Penny has been sidelined for exactly a year after tearing his ACL "and more" in Week 14 last season. At the time he handled 73 touches for nearly 500 yards and four touchdowns as a complement to Chris Carson. That role is now held by Carlos Hyde, so it will be difficult to see what role Penny carves out if he does end up on the field this season.

RELATED: 

Quinton Dunbar

Dec 9, 2020, 6:13 PM ET

 

[Faust]

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Rashaad Penny (knee) is close to returning from IR.

“He exceeded our expectations with his movement and quickness and all of that,” Carroll said. “He’s really in good shape. I don’t know what that means for next week, but he looked as healthy as anybody out there." Penny was designated to return this week but wasn't activated. There's a chance he could back as early as Week 15. Over a year removed from knee surgery, Penny will push Carlos Hyde for the No. 2 role behind Chris Carson when he returns.

SOURCE: ESPN

Dec 12, 2020, 9:14 AM ET

 

[Twenty-Four Eighty-Four]

He will be active for this week's game.

 

[zamboni]

He will be active for this week's game.

Good for him - hard not to root for guys that work so hard to make it back on the field. I am guessing he’ll get 3-5 carries to shake off the rust. 

 

[King of the Jungle]

I don’t see anything saying he is definitely playing but will be rooting for him. If he is healthy, I am sure Seattle will want to get him warmed up for the playoff run. He is most likely their most explosive runner.

 

[Twenty-Four Eighty-Four]

I don’t see anything saying he is definitely playing but will be rooting for him. If he is healthy, I am sure Seattle will want to get him warmed up for the playoff run. He is most likely their most explosive runner.

They are "expected to activate him".

 

[Faust]

Rashaad Penny (knee, IR) is expected to play in Week 15 against Washington.

Penny will be making his season debut after tearing his ACL last December. Chris Carson is locked in as Seattle's lead back, but Penny gives Seattle a change-of-pace to pair with Carlos Hyde behind Carson. Assuming he's active, Penny's snaps figure to be limited in his first game since 2019.

SOURCE: ESPN

Dec 19, 2020, 10:01 AM ET

 

[zamboni]

I don’t see anything saying he is definitely playing but will be rooting for him. If he is healthy, I am sure Seattle will want to get him warmed up for the playoff run. He is most likely their most explosive runner.

Not sure we can say that yet until we’ve seen him post-injury.

 

[King of the Jungle]

Not sure we can say that yet until we’ve seen him post-injury.

That is why I added most likely.

"He looks terrific," Schottenheimer said. "He's looking fast, he's looking explosive, moving really well running routes. I think he just looks as good as you could expect to see him... I think he's really close to being ready to go."

 

[zamboni]

That is why I added most likely.

"He looks terrific," Schottenheimer said. "He's looking fast, he's looking explosive, moving really well running routes. I think he just looks as good as you could expect to see him... I think he's really close to being ready to go."

Fair enough. Also could be coach speak, although as a Jets fan I recall Schottenheimer being less inclined to over-praise certainly compared to Carroll.

 

[jtd13]

With all the attention going to AJ Dillon on the news that Jones wasn't tagged (and rightfully so) it seems like the Penny thread should get a bump with Carson seemingly even more sure to be gone. 

I don't see the Seahawks picking up Penny's 5th year option this offseason, and I don't see them rolling into the season completely dependent on him. But at the same time they are strapped for cap space and have 4 total picks (a later 2nd and then some day 3 picks). I'd imagine the highest level competition they bring in is something like Mike Davis and a day 3 pick, unless a Harris or Javonte Williams makes it to their 2nd. 

I'm sort of talking myself into thinking Penny has a good chance to gain a lot of value leading up to the season. 

 

[zamboni]

Don't rule out Alex Collins in the mix here - he was recently re-signed. While the team doesn't have the cap space or draft picks, as jtd13 mentioned above, Penny is not going to be handed the job by any stretch.

 

[socrates]

I don't believe it is a matter of whether the Seahawks will hand the RB job over to Penny.  He has not earned that.  However, if the stiffest competition the Seahawks bring in is a player like Alex Collins, Penny is going to have a golden opportunity to dominate touches.  That is about as close to just handing the keys over to a Penny as we could expect to see.  

I expect we will will see the Seahawks either bring in better competition via free agency or draft a RB to compete with Penny.  (It is notable that the Seahawks have had great success with later-round RBs, and there are some interesting RBs in this class who could come in and compete right away.)

 

[zamboni]

I don't believe it is a matter of whether the Seahawks will hand the RB job over to Penny.  He has not earned that.  However, if the stiffest competition the Seahawks bring in is a player like Alex Collins, Penny is going to have a golden opportunity to dominate touches.  That is about as close to just handing the keys over to a Penny as we could expect to see.  

I expect we will will see the Seahawks either bring in better competition via free agency or draft a RB to compete with Penny.  (It is notable that the Seahawks have had great success with later-round RBs, and there are some interesting RBs in this class who could come in and compete right away.)

Fair points - that said, they only have four draft picks in this year's draft. With other positions of need, I'd be surprised if they used one of those scarce picks on an RB. They could possibly trade down and get more picks and/or find undrafted free agent RBs after the draft, but they have to bank on finding another Carson that late. They tried with Deejay Dallas and he did not seem to be the answer.

 

[Faust]

Why Seahawks Face a Difficult Decision Regarding Rashaad Penny's Future

Since being selected 27th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, injuries and inconsistent play have prevented running back Rashaad Penny from coming anywhere close to reaching expectations for the Seahawks.

In three seasons, Penny has only played in 27 out of 48 possible regular season games, including only suiting up for three games coming back from a torn ACL in 2020. Finger, hamstring, and groin injuries also cost him eight games in his first two seasons, limiting him to just 823 combined rushing yards and five touchdowns in his career thus far.

Considering his durability issues and underwhelming performance when healthy, it would seem like an easy choice for Seattle to decline Penny's fifth-year option for the 2022 season. He hasn't proven himself capable of being a feature back as the team envisioned when drafting him.

However, Seattle may face a more difficult decision than expected when deciding whether or not to pick up Penny's option due to numerous factors.

For one, the Seahawks remain high on Penny's upside despite his bad injury luck up to this point. When he has been healthy, he has flashed first-round talent on the field, including rushing for a career-high 129 yards in a win over the Eagles and posting over 100 all-purpose yards in a win over the Vikings in back-to-back weeks before injuring his knee late in the 2019 season.

Secondly, Seattle could lose both Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde in free agency. While it's possible one of those players could return at the right price, the decision to re-sign Alex Collins last month suggests the team may spend its money elsewhere to address other more urgent positional needs and opens the door for Penny to finally have a shot at winning a starting job.

Finally, unlike most positions, the fifth-year option at running back isn't financially inhibiting at all. The NFL released official fifth-year option price tags for 2022 on March 10 and since Penny hasn't been a Pro Bowler or met the playtime criterion, he would cost only $4.523 million to retain for a fifth season, which would currently make him the 16th highest-paid back in the league.

The only complication? Unlike previous seasons, the fifth-year option is now fully guaranteed, meaning the Seahawks would be on the hook for every last cent if they opted in on Penny. His 2021 base salary of $1.948 million would also become fully guaranteed. Given the fact he has never surpassed 500 rushing yards in a season and has missed 21 games due to injuries, Seattle would be taking a significant risk rolling the dice on him as a potential feature back.

With that said, if Penny can finally stay healthy - a major if - and return to his pre-ACL tear form from 2019, he still could arise as a quality NFL starter, especially in Shane Waldron's offense which could feature more under center, wide zone runs that play to his strengths. Now a year removed from his ACL surgery and set to enjoy an offseason without rigorous rehab, there's optimism within the organization that a breakout season could be on tap.

If the Seahawks stick with status quo and don't pick up Penny's fifth-year option - they have declined the option for each of their past two first round picks (Bruce Irvin, Germain Ifedi) - the team risks potentially having to pay him more to re-sign him in 2022 in the event he comes through with a strong season.

Playing any other position, the writing would probably be on the wall for Penny. But due to the financial devaluing of running back league-wide, his option year is affordable enough to warrant strong consideration by Seattle to execute it. It will fascinating to see what direction the organization goes before the May 3 deadline.

 

[Faust]

Should the Seattle Seahawks exercise Rashaad Penny’s 5th year option?

Why the Seahawks will decline the fifth year option on Rashaad Penny

 

[socrates]

Fair points - that said, they only have four draft picks in this year's draft. With other positions of need, I'd be surprised if they used one of those scarce picks on an RB. They could possibly trade down and get more picks and/or find undrafted free agent RBs after the draft, but they have to bank on finding another Carson that late. They tried with Deejay Dallas and he did not seem to be the answer.

Although the Seahawks have had some success finding unheralded guys like Carson and Ware, that cannot be their default position.  The odds are stacked heavily against such a strategy, and, as you point out, it seems unlikely they will use a premium pick on a RB in this draft.  They invested early with Penny, and that has not yielded favorable dividends, so far.  It seems likely they will bring in a free agent, but I suspect it will be a guy along the lines of a Mark Ingram, Duke Johnson, or Darrel Williams (Matt Breida? Jordan Howard?), to provide some solid veteran depth alongside Penny.  If Penny can avoid the injury bug, I believe he has a grand opportunity ahead of him, but for the Seahawks, counting on Rashaad Penny seems like a risky proposition.

 

[Mark Football]

Although the Seahawks have had some success finding unheralded guys like Carson and Ware, that cannot be their default position.  The odds are stacked heavily against such a strategy, and, as you point out, it seems unlikely they will use a premium pick on a RB in this draft.  They invested early with Penny, and that has not yielded favorable dividends, so far.  It seems likely they will bring in a free agent, but I suspect it will be a guy along the lines of a Mark Ingram, Duke Johnson, or Darrel Williams (Matt Breida? Jordan Howard?), to provide some solid veteran depth alongside Penny.  If Penny can avoid the injury bug, I believe he has a grand opportunity ahead of him, but for the Seahawks, counting on Rashaad Penny seems like a risky proposition.

The injury bug wouldn't be my first worry. He doesn't put in the work to be an nfl runningback and has rarely been in shape. Of course that often leads to injury.

 

[jtd13]

The injury bug wouldn't be my first worry. He doesn't put in the work to be an nfl runningback and has rarely been in shape. Of course that often leads to injury.

Have there been any reports about him being out of shape after his rookie year? He seemed fine year 2 and generally has been praised for his work ethic since then, including coming back from the multi ligament knee injury. 

If he were as lazy as you say I doubt he would have made it back on the field after that injury. 

 

[Mark Football]

Have there been any reports about him being out of shape after his rookie year? He seemed fine year 2 and generally has been praised for his work ethic since then, including coming back from the multi ligament knee injury. 

If he were as lazy as you say I doubt he would have made it back on the field after that injury. 

Being lazy is not an injury you heal from. It's a state of being. He wasn't in great shape when he came back. But they didn't have anyone else. He subsequently got injured. I for one will not be pinning my hopes on Penny.

 

[zamboni]

Have there been any reports about him being out of shape after his rookie year? He seemed fine year 2 and generally has been praised for his work ethic since then, including coming back from the multi ligament knee injury. 

If he were as lazy as you say I doubt he would have made it back on the field after that injury. 

Sure seemed to work his butt off last year to make it back from the ACL year, but we’re obviously not there day in and day out.

 

[jtd13]

Amazing that someone so cripplingly lazy could have a 92nd percent speed score. But I agree that the reason his knee bent the wrong way was because he is lazy.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Amazing that someone so cripplingly lazy could have a 92nd percent speed score. But I agree that the reason his knee bent the wrong way was because he is lazy.

I don't know where the "lazy" is coming from. I've never seen that as a concern with Penny. 

That said, I also don't see why someone can't be both fast and lazy. They seem mutually exclusive. Like he could be fast, and also not feel like doing laundry. I'm just sayin. 

 

[Blackbear]

I don't know where the "lazy" is coming from. I've never seen that as a concern with Penny. 

That said, I also don't see why someone can't be both fast and lazy. They seem mutually exclusive. Like he could be fast, and also not feel like doing laundry. I'm just sayin. 

I’m a shiny example of fast and lazy. I run like hell before momma comes home.

 

[Blackbear]

For those young guys... it’s a compromise that pays dividends.

 

[King of the Jungle]

I don't know where the "lazy" is coming from. I've never seen that as a concern with Penny. 

That said, I also don't see why someone can't be both fast and lazy. They seem mutually exclusive. Like he could be fast, and also not feel like doing laundry. I'm just sayin. 

I remember early in his career there being some questions about his weight/motivation. Not sure of the validity/severity of those however.

 

[jtd13]

I don't know where the "lazy" is coming from. I've never seen that as a concern with Penny. 

That said, I also don't see why someone can't be both fast and lazy. They seem mutually exclusive. Like he could be fast, and also not feel like doing laundry. I'm just sayin. 

Hey that's true. I just feel like if you have better (size adjusted) speed than 92% of other people who all have a professional interest in being fast, you can't be THAT lazy!

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Hey that's true. I just feel like if you have better (size adjusted) speed than 92% of other people who all have a professional interest in being fast, you can't be THAT lazy!

Marijuana is a powerful influence, my friend. lol

 

[Tau837]

I for one will not be pinning my hopes on Penny.

Nice strawman. No has suggested "pinning their hopes" on Penny.

 

[Mark Football]

Nice strawman. No has suggested "pinning their hopes" on Penny.

Good, cause it would be a bad idea.

 

[Faust]

Seahawks declined RB Rashaad Penny's fifth-year team option for 2022. 

Widely first guessed as a 2018 first-round pick, Penny flashed some big-play juice in 2018-19 before suffering a devastating knee injury. He was active for only three games in 2020 and is already 25 years old. Just 17 of Penny's 178 career touches are receptions. He will get one last chance at establishing himself as a dynamic change-of-pace back in 2021 before reaching free agency. 

SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter 

May 3, 2021, 11:02 AM ET

 

[Faust]

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Rashaad Penny underwent a minor knee surgery but is expected to be ready for training camp. 

Carroll described it as a "cleanup" procedure in the same knee Penny previously suffered a torn ACL. That injury came at the end of 2019 and it sidelined Penny for most of the 2020 season. Penny has struggled with injuries throughout his four pro seasons. With just 178 career touches to his name, he will compete for a role as Seattle's third-down back and Chris Carson's backup this summer. The timetable for Penny's recovery from this surgery isn't concerning but his inability to stay healthy in general is. If he can return in time for training camp without any lingering issues, Penny will be an interesting sleeper as a once-exciting player who can now be had for nothing in fantasy drafts. 

SOURCE: Joe Fann on Twitter

Jun 15, 2021, 6:40 PM ET

 

[Faust]

Rashaad Penny has slimmed down from approximately 230 pounds to 223 and feels "way faster" in Seahawks camp. 

You could say Penny is in the best shape of his life. “He looks great," coach Pete Carroll said. "He worked out here all throughout the offseason, and it really paid off. Best he’s looked since we’ve seen him.” If nothing else, it's great news since it means Penny is already recovered from the clean-up knee operation he underwent in June. Still only 25, Penny has never lacked the talent to be an intriguing lightning to Chris Carson's thunder. If he can finally stay healthy, change-of-pace re-draft value awaits. 

SOURCE: Tacoma News Tribune 

Jul 29, 2021, 10:34 PM ET

 

[Faust]

Sigmund Bloom @SigmundBloom

"During the first four open practice sessions, a leaner 223lb Penny looked explosive... but until he ran against a defense that wasn't playing two-hand touch, it remained unclear whether he was fully recovered from surgery. Those questions were answered emphatically on Tuesday"

https://twitter.com/sigmundbloom/status/1422938485661609986?s=21

 

[Flying Elvis]

Tough to imagine a scenario where Penny doesn't fall to #3 on the Seahawks depth chart for 2021. Alex Collins looks way too good to stand on the sidelines in favor of Penny. 

 

[biju]

Tough to imagine a scenario where Penny doesn't fall to #3 on the Seahawks depth chart for 2021. Alex Collins looks way too good to stand on the sidelines in favor of Penny. 

That's what a lot of people around here are saying, but it doesn't account for the rumors he's been fumbling in practice quite a bit.  Add to this the coaching staff believes Travis Homer is the best blocking RB in the league (according to what I've heard) and I'm beginning to wonder if he'll even make the team.  It sounds insane to me too but there's thoughts that team control with DeeJay Dallas might be the reason he wins that final spot.

 

[Hankmoody]

I hope to God Seattle cuts him so I can just move on.

 

[floods]

I'm trained to expect injury news any time this thread is bumped.

 

[Flying Elvis]

I'm trained to expect injury news any time this thread is bumped.

Understandable. This it's simply a reminder that, even when not injured, Penny sucks. 

 

[kutta]

I hope to God Seattle cuts him so I can just move on.

I cut him two weeks ago on my dynasty team. Just couldn’t take it anymore.

 

[Faust]

Rashaad Penny (calf) remained "limited" on Thursday. 

We haven't seen any concern over Penny's Week 1 status, but it is far from a great sign the oft-injured fourth-year back is already getting in limited practice time. Penny will serve as Chris Carson's change-of-pace back/lightning to thunder for as long as he can stay healthy. It is difficult to envision anything other than low-end PPR FLEX value emerging. 

Sep 9, 2021, 7:17 PM ET

 

[Faust]

Rashaad Penny (calf) handled two carries before exiting during Seattle's 28-16 Week 1 win over Indy.

He was the only other running back to receive a carry behind Chris Carson (16/91) before exiting in the second quarter. It's a situation to monitor given the former's place on the depth chart and lengthy/concerning injury history. For what it's worth, DeeJay Dallas came off the bench as Seattle's No. 2 in place of Penny in the second half.

Sep 12, 2021, 5:19 PM ET

 

[irish eyes]

Who is a bigger piece of glas? Penny or Mostert 

 

[Faust]

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Rashaad Penny (calf) "is expected to be shut down for a few weeks."

Rapoport added that he could be placed on injured reserve which would ensure that he misses at least three games. Penny worsened a calf injury he suffered sometime before Week 1. That was after he got a knee cleanup in the summer in the same knee that he tore his ACL in 2019. If it hasn't become painfully obvious, Penny has been maligned by injuries since the Seahawks spent a first-round pick on him in 2018. He has yet to play a full season and this injury could put him behind Alex Collins on the depth chart once he returns. Penny can be dropped in all fantasy formats.

SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Sep 13, 2021, 3:22 PM ET

 

[Faust]

Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny (calf) is listed as doubtful for Week 2 against the Titans.

Coach Pete Carroll said Penny won't play after missing practice all week. The Seahawks haven't ruled out a multi-week absence. Penny's injury creates more snaps for Chris Carson, who had a 78% snap share in Seattle's Week 1 win. DeeJay Dallas will step into the No. 2 role behind Carson.

RELATED: 

DeeJay Dallas

Sep 18, 2021, 9:35 AM ET

 

[Faust]

Seahawks placed RB Rashaad Penny (calf) on injured reserve.

It's possible Penny is well behind in his recovery since he missed Weeks 2 and 3 on the active roster. Now officially on injured reserve, he'll be sidelined through Week 6 and attempt to return at any point prior to the team's Week 9 bye. On the final year of his rookie deal and already 25 years old, Penny should start eyeing a fresh start in free agency next year.

SOURCE: Adam Caplan on Twitter

Oct 2, 2021, 3:38 PM ET

 

[xenon]

Is Alex Collins the 100% handcuff to Carson?