Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny ‘seriously’ injures ankle in loss

The Seahawks lost 39-32 in New Orleans and appear to have lost their lead back for the foreseeable future as well.

Seahawks Instant Reaction: Seattle Sports on 39-32 loss to Saints

Rashaad Penny left the game in the third quarter after picking up a first down. He was next to Seattle’s sideline after the play and rolled off the field and was grabbing at his lower left leg. He was soon after carted off to the locker room.

The news didn’t sound promising after the game, either.

“He hurt his ankle seriously,” head coach Pete Carroll said, adding later that Penny is “crushed” by this latest injury.

Per NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Penny suffered a fractured tibia. Rapoport said he will have tests done on Monday to determine the extent of the damage to see if surgery is necessary, which appears likely.

Penny, a 2018 first-round pick of Seattle, has had his fair share of injuries to his legs and lower body in his career and was seen by many as a bust due to not being able to stay on the field.

But Penny finished 2021 with 671 yards and six touchdowns over the Seahawks’ final five games of the year.

Penny re-signed with the Hawks this offseason and was the lead back despite the team using a second-round pick on Ken Walker III.

He had 346 yards and two scores this year, including a 151-yard game last week in Detroit. Penny had 54 yards in New Orleans before suffering the injury.

With Penny down, Walker appears to be the next man up for the Seahawks in the backfield. He had 88 yards on just eight carries in Week 5, including a 69-yard touchdown run, the first score of his career.

The Seahawks also have DeeJay Dallas, but are without Travis Homer for at least a few more weeks as he’s on injured reserve. A move at that position seems likely heading into Week 6 when the Hawks will play at home against the Arizona Cardinals.

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