Packers Eight Years Sign Proven…
To strengthen their injured running back room, the Green Bay Packers made a roster move on Tuesday. The Packers have signed veteran Kenyan Drake, according to Field Yates of ESPN NFL Insiders.
Drake was released by the Cleveland Browns late last month. He started the season with the Baltimore Ravens, playing in two games with the AFC North club.
Kenyan Drake: Journeyman Previously Selected in the Third Round
Drake, a former Alabama Crimson Tide standout, played his first three seasons with the Miami Dolphins. He backed up Jay Ajayi as a rookie in 2016, rushing for 179 yards and two scores on 33 attempts. An injury to Ajayi the following season opened the door for Drake, as the six-foot-one rusher scampered for a team-high 644 yards and three scores. Drake tallied another 534 yards rushing in 2018 but more impressively snagged 53 passes for 477 yards and five scores. After a stellar 2019 season between the Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals, the Georgia native rushed for a career-high 955 yards and ten scores with the Red Birds in 2020.
Drake signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021, playing a complementary role to Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs. He rushed 63 times for 254 yards and two scores while hauling 30 passes for 291 yards and a touchdown. Drake played sparingly for the Baltimore Ravens across the past two seasons before being released by the club this October. He spent a short time with the Cleveland Browns following his release but never played in a game.
Green Bay Packers: RB Depth Chart
Drake will fit into the injured running back room of the Green Bay Packers. Due to a knee injury, starter Aaron Jones has missed five games so far this season. Since sustaining an MCL injury in Week 11, he has not returned to practice. While filling in for Jones, fellow running back AJ Dillon has also struggled with injuries. Due to a groin injury, the bruiser was limited in practice the previous week. Patrick Taylor, on the other hand, has gained 71 yards on 16 rush attempts this season. The Memphis native played for the Packers during each of the three NFL seasons.