Running back Kenyan Drake, recently released by the Cleveland Browns, quickly found a new home as he signed with the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad on December 5th. The move marks his fifth team of the season, humorously referred to by Drake as his “North American tour” on social media. Drake initially joined the Browns’ practice squad on October 31 as insurance due to injury concerns with Kareem Hunt and Jerome Ford. However, he never played for Cleveland, and the team released him on November 28, subsequently re-signing John Kelly to fill his spot.
Drake, an eighth-season veteran out of Alabama, boasts an impressive career with 103 games played, 44 starts, 868 carries, 3,866 yards, and 33 touchdowns. Despite his notable credentials, the Browns opted to move forward with the trio of Ford, Hunt, and Pierre Strong Jr., achieving success on the ground, ranking seventh in the NFL with an average of 135.1 rushing yards per game.
The Browns, who lost Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb in Week 2, struggled in the running game during a recent 36-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, managing only 87 yards and 3.8 yards per carry. Head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged the challenges but expressed optimism about finding ways to be explosive offensively.
In the same game, quarterback Joe Flacco, making his first start for the Browns, showcased a strong performance, completing 23-of-44 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns. However, a fourth-quarter interception dampened his overall performance. Despite Flacco’s showing, Stefanski did not commit to him as the starting quarterback going forward. Flacco reverted to the practice squad, and Stefanski remained non-committal about the starting QB, leaving the decision for the upcoming games unresolved. The Browns have options, including calling up Flacco from the practice squad two more times or considering alternatives like rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson or PJ Walker. The team aims to address these decisions as they continue to navigate the challenges of the season.
