ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury to be ‘smart’ with Kenyan Drake in Week 1

Sep 8, 2020, 2:17 PM

Running back Kenyan Drake #41 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after scoring on a five yard rush...

Running back Kenyan Drake #41 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after scoring on a five yard rushing touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake may be out of his walking boot and back practicing, but that doesn’t mean the flood gates are fully open just yet.

Joining Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Tuesday, Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury spoke on the running back and where the team’s at in measuring his workload in the season opener against the defensing NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers.

“We’ll see. He looks good so far,” Kingsbury said. “We’re going to be smart, it is Week 1, but I like what I’ve seen so far. Chase [Edmonds] has done a really nice job as well just how he did last year, so we feel we have two really viable options there. We’ll be smart with Kenyan.”

Eyes have been on Drake’s status since the RB was seen in a walking boot on Aug. 24. Despite the appearance, Kingsbury called the boot precautionary, while Drake added he was good to go and there’s “no worries.”

Joining the Cardinals via a midseason trade last season, Drake racked up eight touchdowns and 643 yards on 123 carries (5.2 yards per rush) in eight games. He also snagged 28 receptions for another 171 yards (6.1 yards per reception).

If Drake is hindered to the point where his usage is down, Kingsbury sounds confident in third-year back Chase Edmonds.

Last season, Edmonds showed signs he could carry the load if called upon. With then-starter David Johnson dealing with an injury last season, Edmonds took over the reins in Week 7, posting three scores and 126 yards on 27 carries in the team’s 27-21 victory over the New York Giants.

Edmonds has seen exactly 60 carries in each of his first two seasons. He was much more efficient in Kingsbury’s offense than he was under the Steve Wilks regime, however, averaging 5.1 yards per carry last year compared to 3.5 in 2018.

The running back also did more with less in the receiving game. Catching 12 balls for 105 yards and a score in 2019, Edmonds averaged 8.8 yards per reception. He averaged 5.2 yards just a year prior.

Arizona Cardinals

The Chiefs try to make history against the Eagles by winning a third consecutive Super Bowl, this t...

Associated Press

Chiefs aim to make history in city where they won their first Super Bowl

The Chiefs will try to make history against the Eagles by winning a third consecutive Super Bowl, this time in the same city where they won their first.

6 hours ago

The Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line could prove to be a pivotal factor in the outcome of Sunday...

Associated Press

Eagles’ Super Bowl path paved by prowess of their offensive line

The Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line could prove to be a pivotal factor in the outcome of Sunday's Super Bowl matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.

8 hours ago

Tush push...

Associated Press

Chiefs think they have answer for Eagles’ tush push in Super Bowl

No team has taken advantage of the tush push the way the Eagles have, but the Chiefs think they have an answer for a play deemed unstoppable.

21 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort looks on. It's officially NFL mock draft season with Arizona's...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will Cardinals do with No. 16 pick?

A look across the NFL mock draft landscape when it comes to the Arizona Cardinals' No. 16 overall pick in this year's draft.

1 day ago

Bidwill...

Associated Press

Former Cardinals employee files lawsuit against owner Michael Bidwill for verbal abuse

A former assistant to Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill filed a lawsuit against him, saying that she was verbally abused during her tenure.

2 days ago

Larry Fitzgerald...

Damon Allred

Larry Fitzgerald praises Kenny Dillingham following ASU offer to son Devin

Larry Fitzgerald threw some credit Kenny Dillingham's way following his son's recent offer to be a Sun Devil.

2 days ago

Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury to be ‘smart’ with Kenyan Drake in Week 1