Here’s a trivia question that may stump many football enthusiasts: Among running backs who have accumulated at least 300 carries in their NFL careers, who boasts the highest yards-per-carry average?
The answer is Rashaad Penny.
Penny, who announced his retirement this week following a short tenure at Panthers training camp, leaves behind a career marked by both exceptional efficiency and unfortunate injury setbacks. Over the course of his NFL career, Penny amassed 348 carries for a total of 1,951 rushing yards, which translates to an impressive average of 5.61 yards per carry. This statistic places him at the top of the all-time list for running backs with a minimum of 300 carries. In comparison, Bo Jackson, who also had a notable career, stands second with an average of 5.40 yards per carry.
This remarkable average underscores the talent that led the Seattle Seahawks to select Penny in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. During his senior year at San Diego State, Penny demonstrated extraordinary ability on the field, recording 289 carries for a staggering 2,248 yards and averaging 7.8 yards per carry. His college performance showcased his potential to make significant plays and dominate on the ground.
However, the transition from college to the NFL proved challenging for Penny. While he remained largely injury-free during his time in college, his professional career was marred by consistent injury issues. Over six seasons in the NFL, Penny managed to play in only 45 games, as frequent injuries hindered his ability to stay on the field. Just prior to his retirement, Penny referred to himself as one of the league’s top running backs when fully healthy—a state of being that was unfortunately not common for him.
Penny’s NFL journey included a notable stretch during the final month of the 2021 season, which offered a glimpse of his potential when he was fit and active. During that period, Penny made a significant impact, accumulating 92 carries for 671 yards and scoring six touchdowns over five consecutive starts. This period of performance highlighted what might have been possible had he been able to maintain his health. Despite this promising stretch, the remainder of his career was a series of injuries and missed opportunities, overshadowing his undeniable talent with a frustrating pattern of setbacks.
In summary, Rashaad Penny’s career in the NFL is a tale of high potential juxtaposed with a series of unfortunate injury-related interruptions. His yards-per-carry average is a testament to his skill and ability to make the most of each opportunity he had on the field. However, his career was ultimately defined by his struggles to remain healthy long enough to fully realize and sustain his impressive performances.
