Seahawks' Rashaad Penny: May practice next week

Coach Pete Carroll said Friday that Penny (calf) is expected to return to practice next week when he's first eligible to be designated to return from injured reserve, Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio 950 KJR Seattle reports.

While Penny has been dealing with a strained calf since the season opener, the Seahawks didn't place him on IR until just before Week 4. Thus, his time away from practice started ticking at that point, and Sunday's game in Pittsburgh will mark his third that he'll be on the reserve list. Elsewhere in the backfield, starter Chris Carson (neck) himself may be going to injured reserve soon, meaning Penny could get back in the mix as soon as Week 7 against the Saints if he proves his health, beginning next Thursday. In the meantime, Alex Collins will handle early downs for Seattle, with DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer around for any RB work that lingers.