Who Should I Start? Rashaad Penny or Kenneth Gainwell

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.

Tuesday, July 29, 9:10 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell has been getting work in the team's passing game thus far in training camp. Gainwell, who signed with the Steelers this past offseason after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, has caught more passes (6) than he has had carries (5) through four practices. That may be a sign of things to come as the Steelers could opt to utilize him in a pass-catching role while rookie Kaleb Johnson handles the early downs and short-yardage situations. Gainwell showed skill in the passing game while with the Eagles, catching 102 of 138 targets across 66 career games. The veteran back is worth a look as a dart-throw option in the later rounds of fantasy drafts this summer.