GREEN BAY, Wisconsin: The Green Bay Packers have added veteran running back Kenyan Drake
to the practice squad, a source informed Packer Central on Tuesday, with Aaron Jones out due to a
knee injury.
James Robinson was cut by the Packers from the practice squad in retaliation.
In a tweet, Drake hinted to the news.
“The enthusiasm in the building today was palpable. You can sense their legacy and promising
future—it was truly legendary. I can’t wait to start working with them to assist them reach the next
milestone.”
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In Jones’ absence, AJ Dillon has been leading the way, but he has been recovering from a groin
injury of his own.
Dillon managed eighteen of the Packers’ twenty-one standard rush attempts against the Chiefs on
Sunday night.
Drake played four seasons with the Miami Dolphins after being selected in the third round of the
2016 NFL Draft, and then he moved on to Arizona.
Drake has participated in games for the Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, and, most recently,
those two clubs. Drake saw action in two Ravens games this season and was given one carry. In
addition, he dropped a fumble and caught two catches for 31 yards.
After the 22-19 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, with whom he played throughout the preseason, he
has not recorded a stat.
The Ravens released him on Oct. 17. He was cut on November 28 after spending four weeks as a member of the Cleveland Browns practice squad.
Drake may benefit the Packers by giving their backfield passing game more vigor.
In that sense, Dillon has been adequate, but Patrick Taylor has received the majority of the passing downs.
Taylor is a competent pass protector but has only six receptions for 32 yards this season.
Throughout his career, Drake has shown greatness as a pass catcher out of the backfield. That
includes catching 53 catches for 477 yards in 2018.
Drake’s speed is his greatest potential contribution to the Packers. Although he won’t be able to replace Christian Watson, who departed the game on Sunday due to a hamstring injury, the Packers’ backfield isn’t that quick.
Despite being a strong runner, Dillon will not flee from anyone. Taylor lacks Drake’s exposiveness, but he still provides good pass protection.
Drake moves quickly. the kind of speed that gives the impression of slowness.
Before being picked, he ran a 4.45 at the NFL Combine, and he still has that kind of pace.
Prime Vision reports that during a Thursday night game versus Tampa Bay the previous year, Drake hit a speed of 22.4 mph.
If Keisean Nixon gets hurt, Drake can also return kickoffs with expertise.
In the absence of Jones and rookie Emanuel Wilson, the Packers had been utilizing James Robinson as their third back. He did not appear in the game against Detroit despite being listed on the 53-man roster. He saw action against the Chiefs last week while back on the practice squad, with one carry for two yards and one grab for minus two yards on four snaps.
