Tag: Kenyan Drake

41 days till the Cardinals’ season opener against the Bills

Linebacker Markus Bailey wears No. 41 but Kenyan Drake was an impactful No. 41 for a season and a half.

As we begin another week to wrap up the week of July, the Arizona Cardinals are a day closer to their regular-season opener against the Buffalo Bills on the road on September 8.

That game is 41 days away.

No. 41 on the Cardinals’ roster is currently linebacker Markus Bailey, signed in the offseason. He played the last four seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals. He is battling for a spot on the roster.

The player before him to wear No. 41 was linebacker Myjai Sanders, who was drafted in the third round in 2022 and had a decent rookie year with three sacks but did not play in a game last season for them before he was released.

However, a recent impactful No. 41 was running back Kenyan Drake, who had No. 41 in 2019 and 2020.

In a season and a half, he rushed for 1,598 yards and 18 touchdowns on 4.4 yards per attempt. He had five games of 100-plus rushing yards.

His per-game average for rushing yards of 69.5 is higher than any other player (minimum 20 games) other than the franchise’s all-time rushing leader, Ottis Anderson, who averaged 80.8 yards per game in his time with the Cardinals.

He averaged 80.4 yards per game in eight games in 2019. That is the sixth-highest per-game average in a single season in franchise history. Of the other five high averages, Anderson owns four of them. The other is John David Crow, who averaged 89.3 yards per game in 1960.

The countdown continues tomorrow.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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Former Dolphins RB Kenyan Drake announces retirement

Kenyan Drake scored 16 touchdowns with the Dolphins, none more memorable than the Miracle in Miami.

Former Miami Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake announced his retirement from the NFL on Friday.

“It’s been an incredible ride,” Drake wrote on Instagram. “Hard to believe 8 seasons have come and gone. I’ve loved the journey – the wins, the moments big and small, the comradery [sic], the energy, all of it. I can’t say I loved everything (if you’ve ever done training camp in Miami you can relate lol), but certainly appreciate the lows and the grind, and know those moments grew me as a football player and more importantly as a person. Ready to enjoy a little retirement and see where the next chapter takes me. Thanks to everyone that was along for the ride with me – wouldn’t change a thing.”

Drake, 30, was the first of two Dolphins third-round picks in the 2016 NFL draft and spent the first three and a half years of his career with the team. During his fourth season in Miami, Drake was traded to the Arizona Cardinals for a pick that was eventually used to acquire running back Matt Breida.

During his 54 games with the Dolphins, Drake recorded 1,532 rushing yards and 936 receiving yards with 16 total touchdowns. None was more memorable than his miraculous game-winning score against the New England Patriots as time expired in a 2018 game.

Drake spent a year and a half with the Cardinals and rounded out his career with stints as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, and Green Bay Packers.

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Former Alabama RB Kenyan Drake announces retirement

The former Crimson Tide RB spent eight seasons in the NFL.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide running back Kenyan Drake took to social media today to officially announce his retirement from the NFL. He began his professional career in 2016 after spending four years in Tuscaloosa.

Drake, joined the Crimson Tide as a member of the 2012 recruiting class. While in college, he won a BCS national championship in 2012 as a true freshman and finished his collegiate career in 2015 with a College Football Playoff national championship.

Drafted in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins, Drake was a member of seven franchises across the league. His most memorable moment in the league was the “Miracle in Miami,” when he ran the ball 52 yards off of a lateral to win a regular season game against the New England Patriots as time expired.

His career concludes with a total of 869 carries for 3,866 yards and 33 rushing touchdowns. He also had 1,655 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabma football news as the 2024 college football season approaches.

Kenyan Drake made big impact in short time with Cardinals

Despite only playing a season and a half for the Cardinals in 2019-2020, Kenyan Drake was one of the team’s most productive backs ever.

Former Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake announced Friday he was retiring from the NFL after eight seasons.

The Cardinals had Kenyan Drake for only a season and a half — a total of 23 games. In that time, he was one of the franchise’s most productive backs historically.

His per-game average for rushing yards of 69.5 is higher than any other player (minimum 20 games) other than the franchise’s all-time rushing leader, Ottis Anderson, who averaged 80.8 yards per game in his time with the Cardinals.

He averaged 80.4 yards per game in eight games in 2019. That is the sixth-highest per-game average in a single season in franchise history. Of the other five high averages, Anderson owns four of them. The other is John David Crow, who averaged 89.3 yards per game in 1960.

His 10 rushing touchdowns in 2020 were tied for the sixth-highest single-season total in franchise history. He had 18 rushing touchdowns in only 23 games.

His game in 2019 with four rushing touchdowns is tied for the second-highest single-game total in franchise history with three other players. Before that game, the last time a Cardinals player rushed for four touchdowns in a game, it was 1993 when Ronald Moore did it.

Drake’s time was relatively short in Arizona, but it was productive. Let’s not forget it.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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Former Cardinals RB Kenyan Drake announces retirement from NFL

Drake’s best stretch of his eight-year career was the season and a half he played for the Cardinals in 2019-2020.

Former Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake is calling it a career. Via his Instagram account, Drake announced his retirement from the NFL after eight seasons.

He wrote:

It’s been an incredible ride.

Hard to believe 8 seasons have come and gone. I’ve loved the journey – the wins, the moments big and small, the comradery, the energy, all of it.  I can’t say I loved everything (if you’ve ever done training camp in Miami you can relate lol), but certainly appreciate the lows and the grind, and know those moments grew me as a football player and more importantly as a person.  Ready to enjoy a little retirement and see where the next chapter takes me. Thanks to everyone that was along for the ride with me – wouldn’t change a thing.

Drake played a season and a half with the Arizona Cardinals and was at his very best playing for them.

Acquired via trade midway through the 2019 season, he had 642 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in eight games, averaging 5.2 yards per attempt. He had three 100-yard games in those eight games, including two consecutive weeks with 137 yards and four touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns and 166 yards and two scores against Seattle.

In 2020, playing on the transition tag, he had a career-high 955 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 4.0 yards per carry with two 100-yard rushing games.

His 10-touchdown season in 2020 is tied for the sixth-highest single single season in franchise history.

He was one of the Cardinals’ most productive backs in franchise history despite the short time.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Packers re-sign CB David Long Jr. to practice squad, release RB Kenyan Drake

The Green Bay Packers made a swap of veterans on the practice squad on Friday, re-signing cornerback David Long Jr. and releasing running back Kenyan Drake. 

The Green Bay Packers made a swap of veterans on the practice squad on Friday, re-signing cornerback David Long Jr. and releasing running back Kenyan Drake.

Long’s return will provide an opportunity for the Packers to elevate him to the gameday roster for Sunday’s NFC Wild Card Round showdown with the Dallas Cowboys. Additional depth at cornerback might be needed with Jaire Alexander questionable to play because of an ankle injury and Eric Stokes on injured reserve.

The Packers claimed Long off waivers from the Carolina Panthers on Dec. 5. He played in three games (vs. Bucs, at Panthers, at Vikings) and was on the field for 14 special teams snaps as part of the 53-man roster for the Packers. Of his 14 snaps, 13 came covering kickoff returns.

Long previously played 190 defensive snaps while with the Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders this season. A third-round pick in 2019, Long played in 52 games over four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams.

Drake became expendable when Emanuel Wilson returned off injured reserve. A.J. Dillon is doubtful to play Sunday in Dallas, but Wilson and Patrick Taylor are both healthy behind starter Aaron Jones at running back.

Behind Alexander at cornerback, the Packers have Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Corey Ballentine and Robert Rochell on the 53-man roster. Zyon Gilbert and Anthony Johnson are first-year cornerbacks on the practice squad. Long is now the most experienced practice squad option.

The Packers will announce practice squad elevations on Saturday. If Long is to be available Sunday, he’ll first be elevated Saturday.

Packers elevate RB Kenyan Drake, WR Bo Melton from practice squad for Week 15 vs. Buccaneers

The Packers elevated RB Kenyan Drake and WR Bo Melton from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 15 vs. the Buccaneers.

The Green Bay Packers elevated running back Kenyan Drake and receiver Bo Melton from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 15. The move was announced Saturday, making Drake available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday’s showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lambeau Field.

Drake was elevated from the practice squad last week in New York but did not appear in the game. The eighth-year pro signed with the Packers on Dec. 5 and will once again provide a veteran option at running back, where the team is dealing with injuries to both Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon. Jones has missed three straight ga but is planning to return Sunday, while Dillon has a broken thumb. Both are questionable to play.

Drake has 868 career rushes and 218 career catches over 103 regular-season games with four different teams.

While with the Ravens last year, Drake rushed for 62 yards and caught a touchdown pass in a win over the Buccaneers.

Melton, who signed to the active roster before the Packers beat the Lions on Thanksgiving, provides much-needed depth at wide receiver. Dontayvion Wicks is questionable, Christian Watson is doubtful and Jayden Reed is dealing with an ankle injury.

All teams are allowed to elevate up to two players from the practice squad each week. An individual player can only be elevated from the practice squad three times per season, so Drake has one elevation remaining. Melton has two more. On Monday, Drake and Melton will revert back to the practice squad.

Elevations by week

Week 1: RB Patrick Taylor, DB Innis Gaines
Week 2: RB Patrick Taylor, DB Innis Gaines
Week 3: RB Patrick Taylor, CB Corey Ballentine
Week 4: CB Corey Ballentine, CB Kiondre Thomas
Week 5: CB Corey Ballentine
Week 7: None
Week 8: None
Week 9: DB Innis Gaines
Week 10: None
Week 11: S Benny Sapp III
Week 12: S Benny Sapp III, FB Henry Pearson
Week 13: RB James Robinson, FB Henry Pearson
Week 14: RB Kenyan Drake
Week 15: RB Kenyan Drake, WR Bo Melton

Packers elevate RB Kenyan Drake from practice squad for Week 14 vs. Giants

The Packers elevated RB Kenyan Drake from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 14 vs. the Giants.

The Green Bay Packers elevated running back Kenyan Drake from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 14. The move was announced Monday, making Drake available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Monday night’s showdown with the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.

Drake, who signed in Green Bay on Dec. 5, will give the Packers a veteran option at running back behind A.J. Dillon and Patrick Taylor. The elevation is an obvious response to the availability of Aaron Jones, who is not expected to play for a third consecutive game due to a knee injury.

Drake, now in his eighth NFL season, has experience as a runner, pass-catcher and kick returner. His presence may allow the Packers to use Taylor on more special teams units.

Earlier this week, coach Matt LaFleur said Drake had done a “nice job” absorbing the offense and handling his duties in walk-through portions of practice.

Drake played in two games with the Baltimore Ravens this season, rushing once for no gain and catching two passes for 31 yards. Between 2020 and 2022, Drake produced 2,208 yards and 18 total touchdowns across 39 games with three different teams.

All teams are allowed to elevate up to two players from the practice squad each week. An individual player can only be elevated from the practice squad three times per season, so Drake has two elevations remaining. On Tuesday, Drake will revert back to the practice squad.

Elevations by week

Week 1: RB Patrick Taylor, DB Innis Gaines
Week 2: RB Patrick Taylor, DB Innis Gaines
Week 3: RB Patrick Taylor, CB Corey Ballentine
Week 4: CB Corey Ballentine, CB Kiondre Thomas
Week 5: CB Corey Ballentine
Week 7: None
Week 8: None
Week 9: DB Innis Gaines
Week 10: None
Week 11: S Benny Sapp III
Week 12: S Benny Sapp III, FB Henry Pearson
Week 13: RB James Robinson, FB Henry Pearson
Week 14: RB Kenyan Drake

Former Alabama RB Kenyan Drake signs with Packers practice squad

Former Alabama running back Kenyan Drake will join the Green Bay Packers practice squad.

On Tuesday, the Green Bay Packers signed former Alabama running back Kenyan Drake to their practice squad. In correspondence with the move, the Packers released running back James Robinson from the practice squad.

Drake joined the league in 2016 when he was drafted in the third round by the Miami Dolphins. The Georgia native spent four seasons with the Dolphins before being traded to the Arizona Cardinals.

He would go on to spend two seasons with the Cardinals organization. Since then, Drake has been a member of five different organizations. He has spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, and now the Green Bay Packers.

Drake has had to overcome a lot in his college and professional career. It will be intriguing to see if he can earn a spot on the Packers’ active roster in due time.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Drake’s professional career as well as other former Alabama players in the NFL.

Packers sign RB Kenyan Drake to practice squad, release RB James Robinson

The Green Bay Packers swapped one veteran running back on the practice squad for another on Tuesday

The Green Bay Packers swapped one veteran running back on the practice squad for another on Tuesday. The team announced the release of running back James Robinson from the practice squad and the signing of running back Kenyan Drake.

Robinson, a practice squad elevation in Week 13, played four snaps during the Packers’ 27-19 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. He carried once for two yards and caught one pass for -2 yards.

Taking his place will be Drake, a 2016 third-round pick who has played in 103 career NFL games. He was recently released from the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns. The Packers will be Drake’s fourth team in 2023; he previously spent time with the Browns, Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts.

Drake appeared in two games for the Ravens this season. He carried once for no gain and caught two passes for 31 yards (long of 24). Last season, Drake played in 12 games for the Ravens, producing 571 total yards and five scores.

The Packers are getting experience and versatility from Drake, who has 868 career carries, 218 career catches and 41 career kickoff returns over 3,016 snaps on offense and 457 on special teams.

It’s possible Drake will be an immediate practice squad elevation candidate and a valuable insurance option at running back should the team want to move on from Patrick Taylor when Aaron Jones (knee) is healthy enough to play again. Taylor was claimed off the Patriots practice squad and is required to be on the roster for at least one more game.

The Packers also made official the addition of cornerback David Long, who was claimed off waivers from the Panthers on Monday.