Who Should I Start? Rashaad Penny or Cam Akers

Tuesday, July 30, 11:14 AM

The Carolina Panthers have placed running back Rashaad Penny on the reserve/retired list. Penny, who joined the Panthers this offseason, was set to reunite with head coach Dave Canales, the passing game coordinator during Penny's standout 2021 season with the Seattle Seahawks, and Brad Idzik, now the Panthers' offensive coordinator. Unfortunately, a series of injuries including multiple strains, a torn ACL, and a fibula fracture have hindered Penny's once-explosive performance. Despite rigorous rehab, he struggled to regain the speed that made him a dynamic force in college. Penny's 5.6 yards per carry would be the highest in NFL history if he had sustained it. He also recorded 2,248 rushing yards at San Diego State in 2017, ranking fifth for a single season in NCAA history. The former first-round pick had stints with the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles before signing with the Panthers in May. Penny retires with 1,931 career rushing yards, 13 touchdowns on 348 carries, and 28 receptions for 227 yards.

Monday, June 9, 9:33 PM

Free-agent running back Cam Akers will try out for the New Orleans Saints this week during their mandatory minicamp, a league source tells Nick Underhill. Akers spent last year with the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings, combining for 104 carries for 444 rushing yards and two touchdowns while adding 14 receptions on 18 targets for 68 receiving yards and three additional TDs. The 25-year-old former second-rounder (52nd overall) by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 out of Florida State would serve in a depth role for the Saints if he were to impress them this week and sign a contract for 2025. Alvin Kamara is still the team's workhorse back under new head coach Kellen Moore, with former third-rounder Kendre Miller and rookie sixth-rounder Devin Neal expected to compete for the RB2 role at training camp this summer. Akers has torn his Achilles twice and remains off the fantasy radar for now.