Rashaad Penny, a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft, is retiring after six seasons in the league.

The Carolina Panthers placed Penny on the reserve/retired list on Tuesday.

The decision to retire comes a few days after Penny told Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer that he can still be one of the best running backs in the NFL.

“I’ve always believed in myself, knowing my capabilities,” Penny said. “I think everybody else knows that when I’m healthy, I’m probably, like, a top running back in the league. I know my place. I know what I can do. So I just keep striving from there.”

Penny, 28, signed a one-year deal with Carolina in May. The move reunited him with Panthers head coach Dave Canales, who was on Peter Carroll’s with the Seattle Seahawks during Penny’s first five seasons.

A standout college player, Penny was named to the All-MWC first team in each of his final three seasons at San Diego State. He earned Mountain West Conference Player of the Year honors in 2017 after running for 2,248 yards. It remains the fifth-highest single-season rushing total for a running back in FBS history.

The Seahawks used the No. 27 pick in the 2018 draft to select Penny. He had moments when he would look like the most unstoppable runner in the league, but injuries prevented him from sustaining that performance.

Penny only appeared in 45 out of a possible 99 regular-season games over the past six years. His 5.6 yards per attempt ranks third among all running backs since 2018, behind only De’Von Achane (7.8) and J.K. Dobbins (5.8).

In 15 games across the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Penny ran for 1,095 yards and eight touchdowns on 176 carries. He closed the 2021 campaign with three straight games of at least 130 rushing yards.

After the 2022 season, Penny signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent in March 2023. He had just 11 carries in three games.