Just-released Browns running back signs with the Packers

admin | December 6, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Reversing course Following his release from the Cleveland Browns, Kenyan Drake didn’t go too long without a team.

On Tuesday, December 5, Drake signed a contract to join the Green Bay Packers practice squad. His fifth team of the year is the Packers. The running back made jokes on social media following the announcement of his “North American tour.”

On October 31, Drake became a member of the Browns practice squad. Due to injuries to Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt, the team added Drake as insurance. But he never played for Cleveland, and on November 28 he was cut loose. John Kelly was re-signed by the Browns to replace Drake on the practice squad.

Drake was an intriguing addition to the Browns at the time of his signing. After leaving Alabama for his eighth season, he has participated in 103 games, making 44 starts. With 868 carries, 3,866 yards, and 33 touchdowns, his total is impressive.

But with Ford, Hunt, and Pierre Strong Jr. together, the Browns feel confident moving forward.Hunt has been the lead back, while Ford has been the primary back. The Browns rank seventh in the NFL in terms of average ground yardage per game (135.1).

Considering that the team lost Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb for the season in Week 2, that’s quite an accomplishment. Chubb had been a mainstay for the Browns since being selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Last season, he ran for 1,525 yards and 12 touchdowns. He had over 1,000 yards of rushing for the fourth straight season, and his career 5.3 yards per carry ranks among the best in the league.

Browns Run Game Struggled Against Rams

Although the running backs for the Browns have had some respectable games this season, the team struggled on Sunday in a 36-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Against the Rams, the Browns were only able to muster 87 yards and 3.8 yards per carry.

“We just try to move the ball in any way that we can at all times. On Monday, December 4, Browns head coach and offensive play-caller Kevin Stefanski said, “Felt like there were some opportunities in the run game.” “It was difficult going in, but in the second half, things really got going, and I think we’ll just keep looking for ways to be really effective offensively.”

Browns QB Joe Flacco Reverts to Practice Squad

Starting quarterback Joe Flacco was hurt by the absence of a reliable run game in his first season with the Browns. However, the seasoned quarterback was excellent against the Rams, finishing 23 of 44 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns.

The 38-year-old quarterback’s otherwise strong day was marred by a costly interception in the fourth quarter.

The Browns have not yet committed to Flacco as the starting quarterback moving forward, despite his impressive performance. On Monday, Flacco returned to the practice squad, and Stefanski had not yet decided who would start at quarterback.

Stefanski declared, “I’m not going to get into those kinds of things on Monday.” “We’ll figure that out.”

Flacco has two more chances to be called up from the practice squad. Since rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson is still undergoing concussion protocol, the Browns’ other quarterback option is PJ Walker.