The Philadelphia Enquirer reports that Eagles RB Rashaad Penny is expected to be a healthy scratch for today's opener vs. the Patriots. That'd leave the backfield to RBs D'Andre Swift, Kenneth Gainwell, and Boston Scott.
The Eagles released RB Trey Sermon. Philly will carry RBs D'Andre Swift, Kenneth Gainwell, Rashaad Penny, and Boston Scott into Week 1. We're expecting that to be the order in terms of snaps to start. But this figures to be an ever-evolving backfield throughout the season.
Eagles RB D'Andre Swift "is still one of many in the running back room, not the main guy," The Athletic's Bo Wulf writes. It's confirmation of how we've been projecting the Philly backfield all along. Swift is the best fantasy bet of the bunch, but he figures to lose too much work to RB Kenneth Gainwell and others to be a real fantasy difference-maker. Check out our full projections for the Eagles backfield.
Eagles HC Nick Sirianni said not to read too much into the backfield usage in Saturday's preseason opener vs. the Ravens. RB Kenneth Gainwell was held out of that one, while RBs D'Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny played. That could be interpreted as Gainwell being atop the depth chart. But Sirianni said that's not necessarily the case. "We wanted to see Rashaad go. Rashaad hasn't played in a little bit," Sirianni said. "My plan with the backs ... I always like those guys getting tackled, so the first time they get tackled isn't in game one [of the regular season.] So, next game, [Boston Scott] or [Kenny Gainwell] will get a couple carries, like Swift did today. And the next game the other one will get a couple carries." So don't expect to learn too much about the Eagles' backfield plans the rest of this preseason. We know that it'll be a committee attack -- but exactly how touches will be divvied remains uncertain.
"Signs are pointing to a running back by committee in Philadelphia," ESPN's Tim McManus writes. Five Eagles RBs -- D'Andre Swift, Rashaad Penny, Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, and Trey Sermon -- have received first-team reps in camp. McManus expects Swift, Penny, and Gainwell to all be in the mix for regular-season touches, "with matchups and in-game performance likely to sway how much each player is utilized in a given week." That sounds like a fantasy nightmare. On the plus side, we know this will be a productive offense and running game. And an injury to any one of those top three would make the other two much better fantasy plays. This is still a backfield to invest in at the right price. Penny remains our favorite value on the bunch, with an ADP in late Round 9.
Eagles RB Rashaad Penny said he’s currently tipping the scales at 231 pounds, seven pounds under his playing weight in Seattle. Per beat writer Chris Franklin, Penny wants to get close to his college playing weight of 220. “This is a fresh start for me,” Penny said. “Playing with an offense like this, I get to unleash something that a lot of people probably have never seen me do. I have the chance for more big plays and more catches, being a part of this offense and taking pride in what they do here.” Penny’s big-play talent makes him a worthwhile mid-round target.
Pro Football Network's Adam Caplan says based on the early practices of training camp, new Eagles RB D'Andre Swift "will easily be the Eagles' most targeted running back." That's been the assumption of most people, of course, since Philadelphia acquired the former Lion in the middle of the NFL Draft. This semi-confirmation is worth noting, though, for anyone wondering if Kenneth Gainwell might fight off Swift in that area. Caplan adds that "most of the passes Swift caught last week appeared to be designed pass plays to him." That would help Swift's receiving volume in an offense that sported the league's second-fewest RB receptions last year. Of course, it's also worth noting that Caplan didn't talk about Swift being the all-around touch leader for the Eagles. We've preferred Rashaad Penny at ADP so far and consider him much more of a fantasy football sleeper than Swift. See how all Philly backs stack up in our RB rankings.
Eagles RB Rashaad Penny (leg) is participating in this week's OTAs. His 2022 season ended with a fractured fibula in October, but he was medically cleared in March. Being able to get on the field for these OTAs is good news for Penny as he settles into a new offense. How snaps and touches will be divvied between Penny, D'Andre Swift, Kenneth Gainwell, and Boston Scott this season will be one of the more intriguing fantasy storylines to track this summer.
The Lions are trading RB D'Andre Swift to the Eagles, according to multiple reports. Detroit gets a fourth-round pick in 2025 and a 30-spot move up in Round 7 this year. A move has been expected since Detroit drafted RB Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round. Swift joins a crowded backfield in Philly but is also likely the best player in the group. We'll see exactly what he can command in terms of regular workload, but we're drafting Swift ahead of Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Gainwell. The other two remain in play for best ball rosters but should come off the board in double-digit rounds. Check our 2023 fantasy football RB rankings for the initial projection on Swift and adjusted numbers for his new backfield mates.
New Eagles RB Rashaad Penny told reporters that he's been medically cleared from the fractured fibula that ended his 2022 season in October. Injuries, of course, have been a major issue for Penny through 5 NFL seasons. He's missed 40 of 82 games. But he's also been awesome when healthy, averaging a huge 5.7 yards per carry. Penny is currently the favorite to assume the old Miles Sanders, early-down role in Philadelphia. Sanders finished 22nd among RBs in PPR points per game last year -- a level Penny is certainly capable of reaching in 2023.
The Eagles and RB Rashaad Penny have agreed to a one-year deal, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The former NFL first-round pick has struggled to stay healthy in his career, though he's shown the ability to be an effective fantasy RB when healthy. Penny has averaged over six yards per carry on 176 carries in 15 games over the last two seasons. Prior to succumbing to a fractured tibia in Week 5, Penny was the RB24 overall in PPR scoring with an 11.7 PPG average through the first month of the 2022 season. Should he stay healthy, Penny has an opportunity to thrive behind an Eagles offensive line that ranked 6th in Football Outsiders' adjusted line yards in 2022. That said, the presence of QB Jalen Hurts does cap the upside of any RB in the Eagles' offense, particularly in the red zone. There's reason to like Penny as a dead zone RB in redraft this season. Moreover, if the Eagles don't address the RB room beyond this signing, RB Kenneth Gainwell becomes an incredibly appealing fantasy option as a bench stash. Gainwell, a former 4th-round pick in 2021, performed well down the stretch for the Eagles and would stand to inherit some hefty work should the oft-injured Penny find himself ailing again in 2023. This backfield will be scary if all goes well assuming health.
Seahawks HC Pete Carroll confirmed Monday that RB Rashaad Penny needs season-ending surgery. He broke his fibula and damaged his tibia in the loss to the Saints. It's another tough break for a guy who's struggled with a plethora of injuries over the past 5 seasons. Penny will turn 27 in February and is scheduled to hit free agency in March. His absence leaves 2nd-round rookie Kenneth Walker as Seattle's clear lead back. We'll see how much passing-game work he's able to garner. But rushing production alone should make him at least a weekly RB2 in fantasy lineups.
Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said after Sunday's game that RB Rashaad Penny's ankle injury is "serious," according to Greg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune. Carroll also reportedly said it will be "very tough" for the team to get him back. Sounds like this might be a season-ender. We'll watch for further updates.
Update: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it's a fractured tibia, with tests coming Monday to asses to level of damage and whether he'll need surgery.
Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny suffered an ankle injury in the 3rd quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Saints and is doubtful to return. That leaves lead duties to rookie RB Ken Walker.
Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny (shoulder) isn't listed on the final Week 5 injury report. He got Wednesday off but put in full practices on Thursday and Friday. Penny looks ready for his usual role vs. the Saints this weekend. RB Kenneth Walker (shoulder) is listed as questionable, but HC Pete Carroll said Friday that the rookie should play.
Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny (shoulder) returned to a full practice on Thursday. He'll be ready to lead Seattle's backfield vs. the Saints this weekend.
Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny (shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday. He seemed to make it out of last weekend's big game unscathed, so this might just be more of a rest day. But Penny, of course, has had trouble staying healthy throughout his career. We'll get another update on his status tomorrow.
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