Kenyan Drake provides instant impact, scores on first drive for Cardinals

Oct 31, 2019, 5:40 PM | Updated: 8:42 pm

Kenyan Drake #41 of the Arizona Cardinals prepares for a game against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

BY KELLAN OLSON

Suns reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

The big question for the Arizona Cardinals entering a short turnaround for Thursday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers was their health, particularly at running back.

With starter David Johnson (ankle) and emerging backup Chase Edmonds (hamstring) both dealing with injuries, they would both be ruled out for the game and inactive.

That pushed a threesome of new running backs into the picture, with the recently acquired Kenyan Drake starting the game off.

Drake took advantage immediately, rushing for 36 yards on his first carry.

Kenyan Drake starts at RB for the #Cardinals and gains 36 yards on his first carry.

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/mp6zquDnng

— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) November 1, 2019

After another rush for a yard by Drake and a Kyler Murray pass just missing tight end Maxx Williams, Murray was sacked on third down, but a horse collar penalty brought a first down.

Another pass to Williams, this time a completion for 12 yards, made it first and goal.

Christian Kirk caught a quick out for three yards before a pitch to Drake scored from four yards.

Kenyan Drake TDs with the Dolphins in 6 games: 0
Kenyan Drake TDs with the Cardinals in 1 drive: 1

(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/ChPtiULyhB

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 1, 2019

Unfortunately, that would be the extent of the Cardinals’ offensive success in the first half.

Arizona punted on the next four drives, having two plays create a first down in those drives. On the other side of the football, the 49ers fizzled in their opening two drives only to score back-to-back-to-back touchdowns to close out the first half with a 21-7 lead.

Through two quarters, Drake had 10 carries for 70 yards with a touchdown. He also caught a pass for seven yards.

His night ended at 15 carries for 110 yards and that touchdown, along with four catches for 52 yards.

The Cardinals lost 28-25.

Drake was acquired on Monday by the Cardinals from the Miami Dolphins for a conditional fifth- or sixth-round pick.

Last year, Drake rushed for 535 yards and four touchdowns with 477 receiving yards and five more scores. He was a third-round pick by Miami in 2016.