The Facts: He’s missed almost as many games as he’s played, and Penny thinks he knows why. He’s played 42, missed 40, and even with a 5.7 career rushing average — tied for highest in NFL history by a running back with at least 300 carries — the Seahawks gave up on him after five seasons, letting him reach free agency this past spring after paying him over $16 million since 2018. The Eagles signed him to a one-year, $1.35 million bargain contract in March and immediately handed him over to Vice President of Player Performance Ted Rath and his staff. They quickly figured out a game plan to try and keep Penny healthy. “It just came down to me playing at a lighter weight and knowing that I have the potential to play all 17 games (and playoffs),” Penny said.

Diehards Line: Penny, the Seahawks’ 1st-round pick in 2018, missed two games as a rookie with a knee injury, six games in 2019 with knee and hamstring injuries, 13 games in 2020 with a torn ACL from 2019, seven games in 2021 with calf and hamstring injuries and 12 games last year with a broken leg. “I don’t know if that was a big factor in my career early on," Penny said of the new approach, "but hopefully it changes this year. So I’m excited. I know these guys care so much about (what weight) I’m playing at and how I look and I’m really praying and hoping that makes a difference and I know it will.” Penny has averaged just 67 carries and 384 rushing yards per season. The only time he got 100 carries in a season was 2021, when he ran for 749 yards and six touchdowns and fashioned a gaudy 6.3 average — 8th-highest in NFL history by a running back and 2nd-highest in the last 50 years. But Penny believes playing 10 pounds lighter will help him avoid the lower leg injuries that have plagued his career. “I was at 235, 237 in Seattle,” he said after a recent practice. “I’m about 230 right now, and we’re working to get even lower. I want to get back to being in college shape, back to 225 and just moving better. ..." Penny is still going after new teammate D'Andre Swift in most drafts. Don't be afraid of that value.