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Eagles' Penny looks to shed pounds and tackles

Former Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny. David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles' Rashaad Penny looks to shed pounds and tackles in 2023

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 7/30/23

While speaking to reporters after practice, Eagles running back Rashaad Penny said he plans to do something he hasn’t done since joining the NFL: get back to his college playing weight. It’s a fine goal but based on recent history, it may be unrealistic.

Penny was a lean, mean 220 pounds back in 2018 when the Seattle Seahawks took him with their first-round pick, at least that’s what he weighed at the scouting combine. But by the time he reported to training camp, the running back weighed in at 236 pounds.

Back then his diet wasn’t the best and the team didn't think he did the right things to take care of his body. So few were surprised when he finished his rookie season with only 419 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 14 games.

Rashaad Penny says he feels great physically, wants to get back to his college weight and says the #Eagles strength and conditioning staff has helped pic.twitter.com/SuXvECUZHh
— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) July 30, 2023

The following year, Seattle listed Penny at 220 pounds, but when asked about his weight loss during OTAs, Penny would say only that he’s under 230 pounds. After missing six games with a torn ACL, Penny managed only 370 yards and three scores in 2019.

It wouldn’t matter if Penny weighed 500 pounds in 2020. Still recovering from his knee injury, he saw just 11 carries in three games.

Statistically, Penny’s best year was 2021. After working hard to lose weight in the offseason, Penny ran for 743 yards while averaging 6.3 yards per carry and had six touchdowns. He still missed six games with a variety of injuries, but showed how effective he could be at a lower weight.

Prior to the 2022 season, the Seahawks finally seemed happy with Penny’s weight and conditioning. Even though he showed up to camp at 237 pounds, head coach Pete Carroll didn’t seem to mind.

“I want him fast and strong, whatever that weight is," Carroll said. “I don’t have all of those numbers yet, but his body makeup is really going to be on the best side that it has been ever. I think this is the best condition that he’s ever been in, and I know that he is going to be flying."

But Carroll was wrong. Penny missed 12 more games in 2022 and signed a one-year contract with Philadelphia in the offseason.

Philadelphia looks to be Penny’s last hope for NFL success, so it’s no wonder he’s looking to shed a few pounds. Doing so in the land of cheesesteaks and soft pretzels won’t be easy, but as long as he listens to the training staff, the Eagles will feed him the ball.

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