I said last week that Rashaad Penny is one of the best running backs in the NFL when healthy.
Now he says he’s calling it quits.
Penny is retired at 28 years old, and the Panthers placed him on the reserve/retired list on Tuesday morning.
Penny was selected 27th overall by the Seahawks in the 2018 NFL Draft out of San Diego State University and played 42 games over five seasons with Seattle before injuries derailed his career.
New Panthers head coach Dave Canales was part of Seattle’s offensive coaching staff for those five years.
Penny showed glimpses of breakout potential in 2021, rushing 119 times for 749 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games.
His 2022 season ended in Week 5 when he broke his fibula.
He signed a one-year contract with the Eagles last season but appeared in just three games and rushed 11 times for 33 yards.
Penny then joined Carolina in May but decided to retire.
“I always believe in myself and know my capabilities,” Penny said. He told the Charlotte Observer In a story published Friday, he said: “I think everybody knows that when I’m healthy, I could be one of the top running backs in the league. I know where I stand. I know what I can do. So I’m just going to keep working from there.”
It’s unclear whether Penny will be able to play, as the Panthers have rookies Jonathan Brooks, Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders all recovering from torn ACLs.
