The Green Bay Packers made a roster change on Tuesday in an attempt to strengthen their injured running back. Field Yates of ESPN NFL Insiders reports that veteran Kenyan Drake has signed with the Packers.
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: Former Third-Round Pick Turned Journeyman
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 slot into a banged-up Green Bay Packers running back room. Starter Aaron Jones has missed five games this season and is currently dealing with a knee injury. He has yet to practice since suffering an MCL injury in Week 11. Meanwhile, fellow running back AJ Dillon has filled in for Jones but has also dealt with the injury bug. The bruising rusher was limited in practice last week with a groin issue. Meanwhile, Patrick Taylor has taken 16 rush attempts for 71 yards this season. The Memphis product has spent all three NFL seasons with the Packers.
