After joining the Eagles this past offseason, running back Rashaad Penny has barely seen the field for Philly. While the former first-round pick could appeal to a running back-needy team, it doesn’t sound like the Eagles intend to break up their depth at the position.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Eagles are “staying put” on Penny heading into the trade deadline. Howie Roseman and the Eagles understand that they’ll need their running back depth as they eye a deep playoff run.
Penny never lived up to his first-round billing during his time with the Seahawks, but that was thanks in part to a torn ACL that ended his 2019 campaign and wiped out most of his 2020 season. He had his best season in 2021, finishing with 797 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns, but he still missed seven games thanks to injury.
The running back hit free agency in 2022 after having his fifth-year option declined, but he ended up re-signing with the Seahawks a one-year, $5.7M deal. He started each of the first five games for Seattle, collecting 362 yards from scrimmage on 61 touches. He suffered a season-ending broken fibula in Week 5, ending his campaign prematurely.
Penny caught on with the Eagles this past offseason, and he was part of the team’s RB makeover that saw the subtraction of Miles Sanders and the addition of D’Andre Swift. Swift has taken a firm hold on the RB1 role, with incumbents Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott still earning backup reps. As a result, Penny has seen time in only one game this season, garnering three carries on nine snaps.
While the Eagles aren’t looking to subtract from their roster, they are certainly looking to add. Per Russini, Roseman has “been working the phone,” with the organization specifically eyeing some defensive reinforcement. The secondary has been hit especially hard by injuries, and Russini notes that the Eagles have specifically been targeting a safety in trade talks.
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