After Losing Rashaad Penny, How Will The Panthers Adjust?

In a shocking move, running back Rashaad Penny decided to hang up the cleats after six seasons in the NFL. After announcing the decision of the running back, the Carolina Panthers placed Penny on the reserve/retired list this week. The former first-rounder retired since he experienced many injuries that setback his career.

Panthers coach Dave Canales said that Penny wasn’t feeling like himself during practice. “It was a cool opportunity for me to see – I know Rashaad at his best – to see if we could get him to that kind of look,” Canales remarked. “He came up, and he really didn’t feel like himself, and I had to respect that moving forward. I don’t understand what that’s like, to have a vision and want your body to do exactly what you tell it to do and just not responding the right way. I was glad to be a part of this process with him because I’ve known him for so long. And I wish Rashaad the best.”

The Seahawks picked the San Diego State alum 27th overall in the 2018 draft – he rushed for a career-high 749 yards and six touchdowns on 119 carries in ten games during the 2021 campaign. However, Penny was sidelined for the season in 2022 after suffering a fibula injury in week five. The tailback spent last season with the Eagles before signing with Carolina in May.

“I’ve always believed in myself, knowing my capabilities,” Penny said. “I think everybody else knows that when I’m healthy, I’m a top running back in the league. I know my place.”

Despite losing a shifty running back, the Panthers still have Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders and Jonathan Brooks to complement the running back room.