Kenneth Walker III or DeeJay Dallas: Who Leads Seattle's Backfield Following Rashaad Penny Injury?
By Peter Dewey
The Seattle Seahawks were dealt a massive blow on Sunday in Week 5, as running back Rashaad Penny suffered a fractured fibula, effectively ending his 2022 season.
First off, you just have to feel for Penny, a former first-round pick, who has been terrific the last few seasons when healthy, but simply can’t seem to stay on the field. He was in the midst of arguably the best season of his career.
#Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny will undergo tests today on his fractured fibula to determine if surgery is necessary, source said, but the belief is surgery is coming. Penny would likely be out for the season meaning rookie Ken Walker is next man up. (Fibula, not tibia, is correct).
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 10, 2022
The Seahawks already have a running back short-term injured reserve, as Travis Homer (ribs) was placed there two weeks ago. So, who does that leave in the backfield in Seattle?
Kenneth Walker III, a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, figures to get the first crack at the starting gig in Seattle, but he will also compete with DeeJay Dallas for touches.
Walker had been mixing in with Penny over the last few weeks, and he broke off a 69-yard touchdown run in the loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 5.
PSA: KENNETH WALKER IS VERY FAST!
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 9, 2022
📺: #SEAvsNO on FOX pic.twitter.com/aeRCiO9L5n
The long touchdown was by far Walker’s best play of the day, as he finished with eight carries for 88 yards. That means Walker’s seven other carries went for just 19 yards against a tough Saints defense.
Dallas, who has been a backup for Seattle, carried the ball once for four yards and added a six-yard reception on his lone target in the passing game.
The Seahawks offense has actually been explosive at times under Geno Smith, and if the team continues to fall behind, Dallas could be in line for some passing down work.
Still, Walker is the player to target in prop betting and fantasy. Penny was averaging over 11 carries a game for 69.2 rushing yards before going down in Week 5. Walker could see close to 15-20 touches in the ground game if the Seahawks deem him ready to handle the full workload.
Seattle takes on the Arizona Cardinals in Week 6, and the Cardinals have already allowed five rushing scores this season. Until we see Dallas eat into the workload, Walker if the player to trust in Seattle.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.