Seahawks Activate RB Rashaad Penny
Rashaad Penny is officially back. The Seahawks activated the running back from injured reserve ahead of tonight’s game against the Saints, reports Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus (via Twitter).
A hamstring injury limited Penny to only one game this season, but he should have an opportunity to contribute on Monday night. With Chris Carson sidelined, Penny will join a running back grouping that includes Alex Collins, DeeJay Dallas, and Travis Homer. Collins is expected to lead the depth chart, but Penny should get some action in what’s expected to be a rain-soaked game.
Penny has dealt with his fair share of injuries since he was selected in the first round of the 2018 draft. The running back has been limited to only 28 games through four seasons, and he sat out the majority of the 2020 campaign while recovering from a torn ACL. Through his first two seasons in the NFL, Penny collected 947 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns on 167 touches.
Prior to the season, the Seahawks declined the 25-year-old fifth-year option, meaning he’ll be a free agent following the 2021 campaign.
Seahawks DL L.J. Collier Generating Trade Interest
It would be an understatement to say that Seahawks DL L.J. Collier has not lived up to his status as a first-round draft pick. The No. 29 overall choice of the 2019 draft played in just 152 snaps in his rookie campaign, though he later said that his rush to return from a preseason ankle sprain may have played a role in that limited usage. But after starting all 16 games and Seattle’s lone playoff contest in 2020, Collier has been active for only two games in 2021.
As such, his name has come up in trade conversations, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Rapoport does not say which teams have reached out to the Seahawks, but he does indicate that Seattle entertained discussions before and during the season. Given the disappointing start to his career, the Seahawks cannot expect a significant return in a Collier trade, and rival clubs are surely hoping for a low-risk, high-reward transaction.
Ironically, another former No. 29 overall pick, Robert Nkemdiche, has played a part in Collier’s lack of a role on this year’s defense. Nkemdiche, who was selected by the Cardinals in the 2016 draft and who was nothing short of a bust, was out of football entirely in 2020 and played in only two games in 2019. However, Seahawks DC Ken Norton said at the end of September that Nkemdiche had surpassed Collier on the depth chart.
“It came down to competition,” Norton said. “It came down to being able to play, being able to make quick decisions…and right now we felt like Nkemdiche was a little ahead of [Collier].”
It is certainly telling that Collier is having a hard time seeing the field for a defense that is ranked dead-last in terms of yards per game and that has been unable to generate a consistent pass rush. Still, plenty of teams need edge help, and it could be that a change of scenery will help the TCU product unlock his potential.
Latest On Seahawks QB Russell Wilson
We’re starting to get some clarity on Russell Wilson‘s return to the field. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter), the quarterback has a shot to immediately return from IR when eligible in Week 10.
Per Garafolo, Wilson will take a major step in his recovery when he has a pin removed from his fractured middle finger, and it sounds like that will end up happening within the next week. After that, Wilson and the Seahawks will just be waiting for the bones to fully heal, at which case the QB will presumably be cleared to play.
Wilson suffered a ruptured middle finger tendon in his throwing hand earlier this month, requiring surgery and his placement on injured reserve. It was uncertain how long it’d take Wilson to recover, but Week 10 was always the earliest the franchise QB could be activated. Seattle has a Week 9 bye, which will provide the team some extra time to make a final decision on Wilson’s status.
Wilson’s stint on the IR forced him to miss the first regular season action of his career. Geno Smith will continue under center for Seattle while Wilson is sidelined.
Seahawks Claim QB Jacob Eason
Jacob Eason has found his next job. After getting waived yesterday by the Colts, the quarterback has been claimed by the Seahawks, reports ESPN’s Brady Henderson (via Twitter).
The Seahawks have been sniffing around for some reinforcement at quarterback following Russell Wilson‘s placement on IR. Geno Smith will continue to sit atop the depth chart, and Eason will temporarily serve as his backup. Seattle is also rostering Jake Luton and Danny Etling on their practice squad.
Eason found himself on the outside looking in during his time in Indy. He was already the third-stringer QB behind Carson Wentz and Brett Hundley, and the team decided to move on from the 2020 fourth-round pick after activating 2021 sixth-round pick Sam Ehlinger from IR.
Eason had a breakout college campaign in 2019, completing 64.2 percent of his passes for 3,132 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions after transferring from Georgia to Washington. He made his NFL debut in Week 2, completing two of his five pass attempts for 25. He also tossed an interception.
Seahawks To Keep Tabs On Cam Newton
The Seahawks will continue to “keep tabs” on Cam Newton, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero hears (Twitter link). However, they’re unlikely to sign him straight away. 
Newton is still collecting $1.5MM from his previous Patriots contract, a sum that is subject to offsets. Newton, understandably, is unwilling to play for free. So, in order to sign Newton, the Seahawks or any other club would have to offer a better deal. That amount would be prorated, but it could still prove to be a barrier.
For now, the Seahawks are willing to roll with Geno Smith and Jake Luton as their quarterbacks until Russell Wilson is ready to return. Star power aside, it’s hard to say whether Newton would represent a clear upgrade over Smith.
Newton finished near the bottom of the league in cumulative QBR from 2016-19 and didn’t impress in 2020. Last year, the former MVP threw for just 2,657 yards and eight touchdowns with ten interceptions. On the plus side, he displayed his usual rushing talent, collecting 592 yards and 12 TDs on the ground, plus a receiving touchdown.
Seahawks Talk To Cam Newton
The Seahawks have had talks with Cam Newton, according to head coach Pete Carroll (Twitter link via Brady Henderson of ESPN.com). Carroll declined to say whether they’ve discussed terms, but there’s at least some interest in bringing the former MVP to Seattle. 
“Just so you know, we have talked to him,” Carroll said. “We’re talking to everybody that could help us.”
Newton could backstop Geno Smith, the Seahawks’ current starter. For what it’s worth, Newton claims that he would have been willing to sit behind Mac Jones in New England had the Patriots kept him on the Week 1 roster.
The 32-year-old recently announced that he’s been vaccinated for COVID-19, clearing another potential hurdle for interested clubs like the Seahawks. Even though he struggled in 2020 and ranked 29th in cumulative QBR from 2016-19, there’s no denying that he’d be a high-upside pickup at the right price.
The Seahawks are 2-4 following Sunday’s overtime loss to the Steelers. Next up, a Monday night showdown with the Saints.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/16/21
The Week 6 Saturday minor move blitz:
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: RB Spencer Brown, G Michael Jordan
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: G Dieter Eiselen, RB Artavis Pierce
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: LB Joe Bachie, RB Trayveon Williams
- Placed on IR: G D’Ante Smith
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: DT Sheldon Day, CB Herb Miller, T Alex Taylor
- Released from IR via injury settlement: TE Connor Davis
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: FB Nick Ralston, TE Jeremy Sprinkle
- Waived: T Brandon Knight
Denver Broncos
- Placed on IR: CB Mike Ford
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: WR Juwann Winfree
Houston Texans
- Activated from IR: WR Nico Collins
- Promoted: QB Jeff Driskel, G Lane Taylor, OL Cole Toner
- Placed on IR: T Laremy Tunsil (story)
- Released: LB Joe Thomas
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: OL K.C. McDermott, WR Laquon Treadwell, K Matthew Wright
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: DE Demone Harris
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted: DL Kendal Vickers
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: LB Cole Christiansen, DL Breiden Fehoko
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: CB Donte Deayon
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: TE Luke Stocker
New England Patriots
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: T Isaiah Wynn
- Promoted: OL James Ferentz
New York Giants
- Activated from IR: LB Cam Brown
- Promoted: T Korey Cunningham, WR Dante Pettis
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from IR: T Zach Banner
- Placed on IR: J.J. Smith-Schuster (story)
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: CB Tre Brown, C Ethan Pocic
- Promoted: WR Phillip Dorsett, QB Jake Luton
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: WR Antonio Gandy-Golden, T David Steinmetz
Seahawks Place Chris Carson On IR
6:07pm: The Seahawks are following through with the Carson shutdown plan. They officially placed Wilson and Carson on IR later Friday afternoon. Neither player can return before Week 10.
4:23pm: In addition to their preparations to place Russell Wilson on injured reserve, the Seahawks are considering shutting down their other backfield starter.
They have ruled Chris Carson out for a second straight week due to a neck injury, and Pete Carroll said an IR stay is in play for the fifth-year running back, via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta (on Twitter). Sunday night will be Carson’s second consecutive absence. An IR move would sideline him until Week 10, when the Seahawks return from their bye week.
Carson has been Seattle’s starting back since 2018. Although the team drafted Rashaad Penny with an eye on him one day taking over, the 2018 first-round pick has battled far more substantial injury trouble over the course of his career. Carson has run into extensive injury trouble as well, though he has been able to stay on the field en route to securing a two-year, $10.4MM deal this offseason.
The former seventh-round pick missed most of his rookie year with a broken leg, missed the end of the 2019 season with an arm injury and was down for four games in 2020 with a foot issue. Carson did not practice this week.
Carroll did say Penny should be expected to return from IR next week. A calf injury sustained in Week 1 led Penny back to IR. The contract-year back has played in just four games since an ACL tear ended his 2019 season. Alex Collins is set to lead the Seahawks’ running back troops against the Steelers. This is Collins’ second Seattle stint. The team brought him back in November 2020, and injuries to Carson and Penny have moved the former fifth-round Seahawks draftee into a key role.
Seahawks To Place Russell Wilson On IR
Russell Wilson‘s injury absence will extend to at least Week 10. The Seahawks are placing their 10th-year starting quarterback on IR, Pete Carroll said Friday.
Wilson suffered a ruptured middle finger tendon in his throwing hand last week. He underwent surgery last Friday. Sunday will be the first absence of his NFL career, halting a run of 149 straight regular-season starts.
The Seahawks have a Week 9 bye, giving Wilson extra time to heal before a potential return in November. Longtime backup Geno Smith will start against the Steelers on Sunday night. Smith has not started a game since 2017 with the Giants. Barring injury, Smith will make consecutive starts for the first time since his stint as the Jets’ QB1 ended after the 2014 season.
While Wilson’s status threatens to sink the Seahawks (2-3) in a competitive NFC West race, a Week 10 return would beat the six- to eight-week timetable initially floated. Given Wilson’s ironman start to his career, it obviously should not be ruled out he will be back when first eligible in Week 10.
The perennial Pro Bowler will miss games against the Steelers, Saints and Jaguars. The Seahawks will travel to Green Bay in Week 10. That Nov. 14 game will mark five weeks and two days from Wilson’s injury.
Seahawks Not Planning Bortles Deal
- Blake Bortles auditioned for the Seahawks on Tuesday, but Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times notes they are not expected to sign him (Twitter link). Seattle instead re-signed Danny Etling, who was with the team from August 2020 to August of ’21. Etling is currently on the Seahawks’ practice squad. Bortles has not been able to land a steady gig since the 2019 season, when he backed up Jared Goff with the Rams.
- Pete Carroll said Tre Flowers did not request to be waived, Condotta adds (via Twitter). The Flowers transaction went through Wednesday, so a claim would surface by Thursday afternoon — if a team is to claim the fourth-year cornerback. The Seahawks have used former second-round pick Sidney Jones in Flowers’ place in the past two games.