Seahawks Receive Bad News After ‘Serious’ Rashaad Penny Injury: Report

Rashaad Penny

Getty Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny is carted off the field during the team's game versus the Saints.

The Seattle Seahawks‘ day just became worse.

After a tough 39-32 loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Seahawks received some bad news — starting running back Rashaad Penny suffered a fractured tibia, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. He’ll undergo more tests on Monday to see if surgery is necessary.

“Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny suffered a fractured tibia, sources say, and he’ll have tests tomorrow to determine associated damage to see if surgery is necessary,” says Rapoport. “As of now, it’s likely. Heart-breaking.”

Penny was carted off of the field following a carry in the third quarter, as observed by Josh Alper of NBC Sports:

“Penny stayed down at the end of a five-yard run and eventually needed to take a cart back to the locker room,” said Alper. “His left shoe was off as he rode off the field and he didn’t look like a player who will be returning to action later in the second half.”


Carroll: Penny Suffered a ‘Serious’ Ankle Injury

As Gregg Bell of The News Tribune noted after the game, head coach Pete Carroll noted that Penny suffered a “serious” ankle injury. Bell reports that it sounds like Penny will be out a “long time” again.

“Pete Carroll says Rashaad Penny has a “serious” ankle injury and it will be very tough for Seahawks to get him back,” said Bell. “Sounds he will be out a long time—again.”

The 26-year-old Penny has had a difficult time staying healthy during his career. He has missed 26 combined games over the past three seasons.

For the first time in his career, Penny had entered the season as the unquestioned starter following the retirement of Chris Carson due to a neck injury. Penny was off to a sensational start once again through the first four games of the season, averaging 6.0 yards per carry. He actually led the league in yards per carry (6.0) last season.

However, the injury bug continues to derail his career. The Seahawks will hope for the best news regarding Carson’s injury, but a broken tibia usually takes four-to-six months to heal.


Walker Would Step in as Seahawks’ Starting RB

If Penny is out for an extended period of time, rookie second-round draft pick Kenneth Walker is expected to step in as the starter. After missing the first two weeks of the season due to a hernia injury, Walker has carried the ball 23 times for 146 yards (6.3 yards per carry) and one touchdown during his first three games. The 21-year-old rookie broke out in the team’s loss to the Saints, rushing for 88 yards on eight carries.

Following the game, Walker stressed that he’s ready to take over the starting job if Penny is out for an extended period of time.

Via Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times:

“I’m ready,” Walker said. “Been practicing every day. I feel real comfortable with the offense. I feel real comfortable in the scheme.”

He said it’s “tough” to see Penny go down with a serious injury.

“It’s tough,” said Penny. “But I talked to him on the sideline, he always tells me to run hard. He’s been like a big brother in the room for me.”

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