Seahawks Relying Heavily on Carlos Hyde Shows They Can't Trust Rashaad Penny or Chris Carson's Durability

The Seattle Seahawks made a needed addition to their backfield on Friday when they signed free agent running back Carlos Hyde to a one-year contract. General manager John Schneider has been searching for a veteran option since the early stages of the offseason as insurance for starter Chris Carson and backup Rashaad Penny, who are both coming off season-ending injuries.

Seattle figures to put a lot on Hyde's shoulders in 2020, and that would confirm it cannot trust Carson or Penny due to their alarming proneness to injury.

Seems that Rashaad Penny is unlikely to be ready for week 1 and Chris Carson is dealing with his own recovery from an hip injury - adding a veteran was much needed for the #Seahawks and it's going to be Carlos Hyde after Devonta Freeman turned their offer down. https://t.co/dpt0tYK7Ym
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 22, 2020

Hyde is a nice player, but it says a lot about his ceiling that he recorded a 1,000 yard-season for just the first time in his six-year career last season for the Houston Texans.

The Seahawks signing the Ohio State product reeks of desperation because Carson and Penny, when healthy, form one of the best tailback tandems in the NFL. However, neither player has yet to accomplish playing a full 16-game season in their respective careers; between the two of them, they have five years under their belts.

Penny hasn't even started a game since entering the league as the No. 27 overall pick in 2018. The former San Diego State star suffered a torn ACL in December, and reports indicate that he might have to begin the season on the PUP list, which means he'll have to miss at least the first six contests by rule.

The #Seahawks are signing RB Carlos Hyde, sources tell @RapSheet and me.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 22, 2020

Carson is currently recovering from a hip injury, and should be ready for Week 1. Whether he's the starter by then, however, is up for debate, and you can bet that Hyde will enter camp with aspirations to supplant the 25-year-old as Seattle's No. 1 RB.