Rashaad Penny’s latest issue is a short one. He’ll soon rejoin RB group Pete Carroll likes
Oft-sidelined Rashaad Penny’s latest issue?
COVID-19.
The Seahawks’ lead running back didn’t make the team’s flight to Texas Thursday afternoon for Seattle’s preseason finale at Dallas Friday night. He tested positive this week for the coronavirus.
Pete Carroll announced that following another practice Penny missed Thursday.
“He’s been out for a few days, but he has next-to-no symptoms, at all. But he’s had to step back,” Carroll said. “He’ll be back in a day or so. Real quick to return.”
Penny, who has had eight injuries in his four NFL seasons, “felt like he was a little bit off” at the beginning of this week, Carroll said.
“He didn’t have the nose and the throat, didn’t have all the aches and pains and all that stuff,” the coach said. “I think he felt a little fatigued.”
Penny and quarterback Drew Lock, last week, are the only Seahawks players to test positive for COVID-19 in training camp and this preseason.
“Yes. And the coach,” Carroll said, chuckling.
Carroll had to quarantine at home for five days per NFL and CDC guidelines at the start of this month after the 70-year-old coach tested positive for COVID.
Penny’s latest absence comes with number-two running back Ken Walker out indefinitely following a hernia procedure. The impressive rookie second-round draft choice may not be back for Seattle’s opening game Sept. 12 against Russell Wilson’s Denver Broncos.
With Penny and Walker out, usual third-down back Travis Homer has been getting more early-down running plays than he has since the Seahawks drafted him in 2019. Homer bulked up this offseason yet remains quick. He is averaging 9.4 yards per carry through two preseason games. That’s the highest in the NFL for running backs with at least six carries this preseason.
Carroll said he’d be fine with Homer having to be the early-down runner to begin the season, though the Seahawks are not expecting that. They expect Penny to return from COVID, back to where he was: otherwise healthy. Coaches have preserved him by not playing him in any of the preseason games.
“I have no problem with him playing. I mean, he’s done everything that we like,” Carroll said. “And he’s really fast, and he’s really tough. He used to just about run into the wall, you know. The first thing he saw (he hit). He seems to be much more mature about his reads and his timing and his feel.”
Third-year veteran DeeJay Dallas, who has gotten lighter for this season, plus second-year free agent Josh Johnson, undrafted rookie Darwin Thompson and rookie free agent Ronnie Rivers this week, will get extended playing time against the Cowboys Friday. Rivers, from Fresno State, signed this week.
Seattle never seems to have enough running backs, the sport’s most attrited position with the shortest shelf life. Penny is the lead back because 27-year-old Chris Carson had to retire this summer following neck-fusion surgery. The Seahawks had 18 different players carry the ball in a game a couple seasons ago.
Yet Carroll says he likes the depth and quality at running back entering this season.
“I do like the group. I like the position group, a lot,” Carroll said. “The young guys who will get some more playing time (Friday) night, they’ve shown well, too.
“But it’s a strong group. We’ve got to get Rashaad back and Penny back, too. But we’ll be in great shape here soon.”
