Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny may not be looked at as the team’s best ball-carrier yet, but he may have a chance to be the starter in the near future.
Chris Carson is still viewed as the Seahawks’ No. 1 running back, but his status as the clear-cut starter is no longer without question. He has struggled with ball security over the first three games of the 2019 season with three lost fumbles (four if you count the one attributed to Russell Wilson) over that time span. Averaging a fumble per game does not look good for any player, and it certainly puts a damper on a running back who rushed for 1,151 yards and nine touchdowns last season.
This could be Penny’s time to shine. He could see more carries going forward with Carson’s recent performances and snag another opportunity to try to live up to his first-round pick status. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has reiterated his faith in Carson, but that does not change the fact that the third-year back is currently in a tough spot. In addition, C.J. Prosise has not produced enough in his time this season to be singled out as the best option going forward, despite being in the NFL longer than both Penny and Carson.
Penny is not without his own issues, most notably his struggle to run between the tackles effectively. However, he has shown flashes of big-play ability, particularly in open space and has not fumbled once throughout his 16 games in the NFL. Regardless of the team’s faith in Carson, Penny now has another chance to stand out for the Seahawks.
