The Cleveland Browns have signed veteran running back Kenyan Drake to their practice squad.
Drake worked out for the Browns last week but did not sign with them. On Tuesday, he tweeted a GIF of well-known Browns fan “Pumpkinhead,” indicating his signing with the team. Soon after, the Browns made an official announcement.
Drake is in his eighth season after graduating from Alabama. Drake has appeared in 103 games, starting 44 of them, and has 868 carries for 3,866 yards and 33 touchdowns. Drake had two receptions for 31 yards in two games for the Ravens this season. The Miami Dolphins selected him in the third round in 2016.
Drake had his best season with the Arizona Cardinals in 2020. He gained 955 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Drake’s ability to catch passes out of the backfield could be appealing to the Browns. In his career, he has 218 receptions for 1,655 yards and eight touchdowns.
Last week, the Browns made a flurry of moves at running back, bringing in Nate McCrary and Jordan Wilkins. Both were released following Drake’s signing. The Browns also signed John Kelly late last week, but he is staying for the time being.
On the practice squad, the Browns also added tackle Geron Christian and wide receiver James Proche. In addition, the team announced that tackle Ty Nsekhe (biceps) has been placed on the practice squad/injured.
The Browns’ running back room has been harmed.
The run game has been the Browns’ strength in recent years, but the team took a significant hit when star RB Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2.
The Browns gave second-year running back Jerome Ford the keys and re-signed Kareem Hunt. Hunt (thigh) and Ford (ankle) have both been injured this season but have not missed a game.
After a few lackluster performances without Chubb, the Browns’ running game has been solid the last three weeks, averaging over 150 yards per game. Ford has 381 yards on the ground, while Hunt has 158. Chubb is still the best.
Kareem Hunt, RB for the Cleveland Browns, expressed his displeasure with the usage.
Last week, the Browns made a contentious decision on third down with just over two minutes remaining and the lead, opting to pass rather than run for three yards. It resulted in an interception by PJ Walker, and the Seattle Seahawks marched down the field to score the game-winning touchdown.
Hunt did not receive a carry in the fourth quarter and expressed dissatisfaction with his role after the game.
“I didn’t get a chance to whole fourth quarter, so it’s cool,” that’s what he said. “I’m not sure. I simply go about my business. That’s exactly what I do.”
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski stated that he would speak with Hunt but did not want to overstate the situation.
“You know, I’ll talk to Kareem the same way I talk to the rest of our guys. Kareem wishes to assist this football team,” Stefanski stated. “I’m really happy with all of those running backs. I assumed they were all sprinting. They also made plays in the passing game. I thought we had a good mix of all those guys, but I prefer players who want to contribute to the football team.”
The Browns have a chance to bounce back this week against a one-win Cardinals team that will be led by rookie Clayton Tune.
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