Eagles' Nick Sirianni Reveals 'Number Game' Reasons for Sitting Rashaad Penny

Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni explained why running back Rashaad Penny was inactive for Week 1 against the New England Patriots.

When the Philadelphia Eagles signed Rashaad Penny in March, you figured there would be at least a few games where the ultra-talented but oft-injured running back was inactive this season.

However, Penny -- who played in just 18 of a possible 51 games during his final three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks -- was healthy for the team's Week 1 win over the New England Patriots. But he was inactive nonetheless, in favor of the trio of Kenneth Gainwell, D'Andre Swift and Boston Scott. 

"There was just a number count," coach Nick Sirianni said. "You saw that -- I don't ever want to come out of a game where D'Andre Swift has only two touches, either. Where we were with numbers and some of the things, our first three guys through camp are those three guys, they dressed. So like I said with Boston [Scott], to have four backs up, Boston and D'Andre both only had one carry. We have to play that number game." 

Rashaad Penny was inactive for Week 1. (USA Today) 

Gainwell, the starting running back, received six carries on the opening drive of the game. But the third-year pro carried the ball just eight times the rest of the game, finishing with 14 carries for 54 yards. As Sirianni noted, Swift and Scott finished the game with just one carry each. The Eagles technically ran the ball 25 times in their season-opening win over the Patriots, but that's overinflated by the nine carries that quarterback Jalen Hurts had, hardly all of which were designed runs. 

It's entirely possible that the Eagles didn't plan to lean heavily on the run against a Bill Belichick-led defense that looks as though it has a chance to be one of the league's better units. In such games, it's hard to justify carrying four running backs, especially if someone like Penny isn't a kick or punt returner. 

But for as much trouble as Penny has had staying healthy, the 27-year-old has averaged 5.7 yards per carry in 42 career games. He was inactive in Week 1, but you have to think that there will be multiple games this season where Penny is not only active, but a major part of the gameplan for Sirianni and offensive coordinator Brian Johnson.