By Jordan Long
The Seattle Seahawks lost to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday by the score of 39-32 dropping Seattle’s record to 2-3. During the defeat, Seattle was dealt a large blow to their running game as Rashaad Penny fractured his fibula likely ending his season.
Penny is in his 5th year in Seattle. The Seahawks knew if they wanted to have success this year, running the football was going to be key. This was going to take the pressure off quarterback Geno Smith. Penny was off to a fantastic start, rushing for 346 yards and 2 touchdowns. His average yards per carry was an impressive 6.1.
In the loss against New Orleans, Penny was having another terrific day on the ground before leaving the game in the 3rd quarter. He had 8 rushes for 54 yards with an average yards per carry of 6.8.
The Seahawks are awaiting word on whether Penny will require surgery on his broken leg. According to MSN.com, Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carrol said, “This has been a journey for him and for us too. I fell in love with the fact that he emerged and showed us the great player he is and what he can mean to the game and to our team and all that. For it to come down to another setback, he will be back. It is a setback that it just breaks my heart. He has been having so much fun. He’s been so rewarded and so fulfilled. He knows he belongs. He knows he can do it. He knows he can be an impact in this league.”
Penny has never played a full NFL season in his career. The closest he came was in 2018, his rookie year, when Penny suited up in 14 games. Otherwise, the most was 10 games in 2019 and 2021. This is another setback for him to recover from. Penny will heal from this broken leg and be ready to carry the rock in 2023 hoping it will be a healthy year for him.
Seattle has depth at the running back position. They will likely lean on Kenneth Walker III who took the field after Penny left the game on Sunday. Walker showed he can run with the football, gaining 88 yards on 8 carries, an outstanding yards per rush of 11. He added 1 touchdown.
If Walker III struggles, the other Seattle running back is DeeJay Dallas. He hasn’t been used much this year with 4 rushing attempts for 25 yards. Of course, if Dallas and Walker III aren’t able to run the football like Penny, the Seahawks could also look to trade for a running back or check the practice squads on the other 31 teams.
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