The Green Bay Packers are 6-6 and currently hold the seventh and final spot in the NFL Playoff picture for the NFC. At one point in the season, they were 2-5 and the very thought of making the playoffs seemed laughable. Additionally, key contributor after key contributor on the Packers roster went down with an injury. Running back Aaron Jones, in particular, has been struggling with multiple injuries all season long.
In Week One, Jones strained his hamstring on a long touchdown catch and run. The injury caused him to miss two weeks, and when he did come back, he was on a snap count. Just as Jones was getting over the hamstring injury, he suffered a sprained MCL against the Los Angeles Chargers. He has not played in a game since.
Due to Jones’ injuries, and Emanuel Wilson landing on injured reserve due to a separated shoulder, the Packers have had a kind of carousel of running backs coming onto and off of their practice squad.
Patrick Taylor, who had been released after he maxed out his elevations, was signed to the 53-man roster off of the New England Patriots’ practice squad. James Robinson has spent two stints on the Green Bay practice squad and appeared in their latest win over the Kansas City Chiefs. However, Robinson was released earlier on Tuesday.
The Green Bay Packers Signed Running Back Kenyan Drake
On Tuesday, it was announced that the Packers had signed former third round pick Kenyan Drake. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 2016 NFL Draft. Green Bay will be his third team this season. He started the year with the Baltimore Ravens, but was released and signed with the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad. Cleveland released him on November 28.
If you ever listen to Gilbert Brown’s podcast (linked above), it is easy to see how much playing for the Packers franchise means to the players. There is something about the history, something about putting your hand down in the same dirt as legends like Reggie White, Forrest Gregg, and the like that is humbling.
While Drake was signed to the practice squad and not the active roster, he was overwhelmed with the tradition and history, and what it means to don the Green and Gold:
RB Kenyan Drake to me just now on joining t/ #Packers prax squad: “I could feel the energy around the building today. It was legendary, and you can feel the legacy and bright future they have. I’m excited to get to work to help them take that next step towards the ultimate goal.” pic.twitter.com/ghrt36Lqsq
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) December 5, 2023
As one can see, Drake sees the Packers as a team on the rise. Not only that, his reference of “the ultimate goal” indicates that he believes they can compete for a Super Bowl.
It will be interesting to see what the Packers do for their next game, a Monday night showdown against the New York Giants. As mentioned, Robinson was elevated for the game and saw limited playing time.
Jones is week-to-week, and his status for Monday night is not yet known. If he is unable to go, it is possible Drake could be elevated. If Jones is healthy, the Packers will go with him, Dillon, and Taylor.
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