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.

Array

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals Kenyan Drake (41) score a touchdown as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake celebrates his touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (17) is hit by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (32) as defensive back Tramaine Brock (20) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman (25) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Richie James (13) pulls in a punt against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

San Francisco 49ers George Kittle (85) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Haason Reddick (43) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

San Francisco 49ers George Kittle (85) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Haason Reddick (43) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) tries to avoid Arizona Cardinals defenders during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

San Francisco 49ers running back Tevin Coleman (26) runs the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) greets San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan after a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) runs after the catch for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) pulls in a touchdown pass as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy (33) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals with wide receiver Dante Pettis (18) and running back Tevin Coleman (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) runs a play against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) avoids the hit of San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver KeeSean Johnson (19) celebrates his touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers with fans during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (17) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals with offensive tackle Daniel Brunskill during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (17) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, left, scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Haason Reddick defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Dee Ford (55) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

San Francisco 49ers running back Tevin Coleman (26) is hit by Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Jordan Hicks and linebacker Cassius Marsh (54) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (41) is hit by San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (29) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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