Saints rookie Trevor Penning has been a failure to launch so far in his 2022 season, but that could be close to changing.
Head coach Dennis Allen touted the left tackle's progression in his rehab this week. He's now out of the walking boot and doing weight-bearing exercises, a significant step for a player recovering from a significant foot injury.
"He's started with some with some some cardio stuff and on the treadmill and things of that nature," Allen said. "So yeah, he's progressing."
Penning, the No. 19 overall pick out of Northern Iowa, has been on injured reserve since suffering a significant turf toe injury in the preseason finale against the L.A. Chargers. It was a disappointing end to what had been an impressive run in the preseason with the rookie showing significant development.
The injury required surgery, but the goal was always to try to get the rookie back at some point during the 2022 season. That could be identified through the team's decision to wait until the regular season to shift him on IR. Had the team put him on IR in the preseason, it'd have marked the end of his season.
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It was a similar injury that was suffered by backup RT Landon Young against the Eagles in the 2021 season. Young's advice at the time was to stay in the action and continue doing mental reps. That appears to be something the rookie has taken to heart. Despite the injury he's been a common presence around the facility. He began on a knee scooter and recently was spotted walking around in the boot and participating in meetings. He said earlier in October that he felt he was a few weeks away from getting back to the action.
The goal for Penning's return was sometime in November, and it appears he's on track for that. The Saints can now bring him back to practice at any point, but once they do he will have 21 days to be added to the active roster. There have already been a pair of players -- DT Malcolm Roach and CB Alontae Taylor -- who have been brought back from injured reserve. It's possible that DB PJ Williams, Deonte Harty and Bradley Roby are all brought back later in the year, as well. Per the rules in 2022, as many as eight players can be brought back from IR during the season.
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Whenever Penning does return, though, it's unlikely he steps directly into a starting role. He was competing with veteran James Hurst in the offseason, and looked to be on the No. 2 line even prior to the injury. This is also a group that's thrived in run and pass blocking the last few weeks after a difficult start to the season. Andy Dalton hasn't been sacked once in the past two games, and the Saints took down a Las Vegas Raiders team in an impressive shutout that could signal a breakout from the 3-5 start in a weak NFC South.
One way or another, the more quality players on the roster, the better.
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