When the Miami Dolphins traded running back Kenyan Drake to the Arizona Cardinals ahead of last year’s 2019 NFL trade deadline, the decision created a lot of conflict for Dolphins fans. After all, Drake wasn’t just any other veteran player from the old regime, this was the player who put the New England Patriots on ice in the “Miami Miracle”. And physical talent has never been the issue for Drake — many felt he never really got a fair shake in Miami to be the featured back.
Fast forward to today and Drake is playing his second season in Arizona and the Dolphins are still looking for definitive answers in the run game. But Drake’s long-term status is secured with the team; Arizona has him playing this season on the transition tag and is paying him over $8M for the season to play for the Cardinals. But he won’t be playing in Week 9 against his former team: Drake has been confirmed out with injury this week and Miami will avoid the possibility of a “revenge game” by Drake against his former team.
Despite his injury, the former Dolphins running back is making the most of his opportunity with the Cardinals. Through 15 games in Arizona, Drake has logged 1,155 rushing yards, 200 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns; much more significant averages than the 28.4 rushing yards per game he averaged in three plus seasons in Miami.
But that will make his injury that much more significant in Week 9. And the absence of a more effective (and motivated) Kenyan Drake from the Cardinals offense certainly changes the dynamics of how the NFL’s most productive offense in yardage attacks the NFL’s most stingy defense in points this weekend.
Dolphins fans will forever hold fond memories of Kenyan Drake for his contribution to one of the most memorable wins of a lifetime — but they’re also probably a little relieved to know Drake won’t be in a position to spoil those memories this weekend by romping on his former team.
