Browns' Pierre Strong: Exits for concussion protocol
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Strong left Saturday's preseason game against the Rams to be evaluated for a concussion.
The Browns played their healthy starters, with Dylan Sampson and Jerome Ford sharing backfield work on the first two drives before Strong came on for the third series. If a concussion is confirmed, Strong will have 15 days to clear protocol before a Week 1 opener against Cincinnati on Sun., Sept. 7. He's unlikely to be any higher than third on the depth chart even if he makes it back quickly and fellow running back Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Racks up yardage Saturday
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Strong carried the ball 13 times for 89 yards and caught four of five targets for 10 yards in Saturday's 22-13 preseason win over the Eagles.
The veteran back got the start with Jerome Ford and rookie Dylan Sampson being held out of the game, and Strong took advantage of the opportunity. Most of his production came on a 54-yard carry on the first play of the fourth quarter, after which he gave way to Ahmani Marshall. Despite the big performance, Strong's best path to a spot on the 53-man roster will come via his special-teams contributions, and he'll presumably get bumped down the RB depth chart further once 2025 second-round pick Quinshon Judkins finally gets signed.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Practicing Monday
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Strong (undisclosed) participated in Monday's training camp practice in a limited capacity, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.
Strong did not play in Friday's preseason game against the Panthers due to an undisclosed injury. The 2022 fourth-rounder is in a battle against Trayveon Williams and rookie fourth-rounder Dylan Sampson for a spot on the Browns' 53-man roster as a depth running back. Strong should be available for Saturday's preseason game against the Eagles if he can increase his practice activity over the coming week.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Facing tough competition for snaps
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Strong will compete for slotting in a Cleveland backfield that includes returnee Jerome Ford, as well as rookies Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
A concussion prevented Strong from suiting up for the Browns' season finale in 2024, but now that he's presumably past the issue, the 2022 fourth-rounder -- who is in the last year of his rookie contract -- will attempt to retain his depth role in the team's backfield. He is an option in the return game, but as long as Judkins and Sampson stay healthy, Strong may not have much of a role in the offense after logging 26 carries for 108 yards and a 14-104-0 receiving line on 22 targets in 14 games last year.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Placed on IR for season finale
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The Browns placed Strong (concussion) on injured reserve Friday.
D'Onta Foreman and John Kelly will handle backfield duties for Cleveland's Week 18 finale. Strong's 2024 season ends with 26 carries for 108 scoreless yards and a 14-104-0 receiving line on 22 targets as the Browns' third running back for much of the year. The 2022 fourth-round pick is currently under contract for a non-guaranteed salary of $1.1 million next season, the final year of his rookie deal.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Not practicing Wednesday
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Strong (concussion) did not participate at practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Strong suffered a concussion during Sunday's game versus the Dolphins, and now his availability for Week 18 is in jeopardy. He'll likely have to practice Thursday to be able to suit up Saturday at Baltimore.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: In concussion protocol
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Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday that Strong is in the NFL's concussion protocol after he exited in the final two minutes of Sunday's 20-3 loss to the Dolphins to be evaluated for a head injury, Ashley Bastock of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Strong won't practice Tuesday and could face an uphill battle to clear the five-step protocol on a short week, as the Browns will close their season with a Saturday game in Baltimore. After starting running back Jerome Ford left this past Sunday's game in the second quarter with an ankle injury, Strong was tasked with his biggest workload of the season, finishing the day with five carries for 33 yards and three catches for 15 yards on five targets. With both Ford and Strong banged up, D'Onta Foreman and John Kelly are the only healthy running backs on the Browns' 53-man roster at this stage of the week.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Accounts for 48 yards in Week 17
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Strong carried five times for 33 yards and caught three of five targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 20-3 loss to the Dolphins.
The eight touches were the most volume Strong has seen in a game since Week 5. Jerome Ford sustained an ankle injury and was limited to 15 snaps, opening up opportunities for Strong and D'Onta Foreman. The duo could operate as the main backs in Week 18 against the Ravens if Ford is unable to suit up or is limited coming off the injury.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Increased activity in Week 16
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Strong had two carries for six yards and caught both of his targets for three yards in Sunday's 24-6 loss to Cincinnati.
This was the first game after a foot injury forced Nick Chubb to injured reserve. Jerome Ford capably handled the lead-back role, while Strong and D'Onta Foreman worked as depth options. Foreman, who hadn't played since Week 8, entered on Cleveland's first drive, had two red-zone carries, and lost a fumble at the goal line. That was the end of his day, as Strong operated as the top backup the rest of the way. Strong's two carries were his first since Week 11, and his 13 snaps his biggest workload since Week 8.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: No carries in win
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Strong caught his lone target for three yards and returned three kickoffs for 59 yards in Sunday's 29-24 win over the Ravens in Week 8.
Both Strong (14 snaps) and D'Onta Foreman (13) saw their workloads decrease relative to starter Nick Chubb, who played 12 more snaps and had five more carries in his second game back from a knee injury. This was the first time in six outings that Strong did not have a carry. Chubb's return clearly impacts Strong's rushing opportunities; however, he should remain a third-down option going forward, at least until Jerome Ford (hamstring) is able to suit up.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: In backfield mix Week 7
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Strong is expected to be one of three running backs available for Sunday's game against the Bengals..
Cleveland ruled out Jerome Ford (hamstring), and head coach Kevin Stefanski told Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site that Nyheim Hines (knee) is "unlikely" to suit up. That leaves Strong, D'Onta Foreman and Nick Chubb (knee), who is expected to come off the PUP list and play. The lingering question is how many snaps/touches the Browns allot to Chubb in his first game since Week 2 of 2023. Depending on Chubb's workload, and the nature of game itself, Strong could build off last week's loss to the Eagles in which he was the backfield leader in scrimmage yards.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Limited in Wednesday's practice
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Strong (hamstring) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Strong missed two games due to the hamstring injury prior to returning for the Week 5 loss to Washington. He received just one carry and one target in his return while also returning kickoffs on special teams. Jerome Ford is set to continue leading Cleveland backfield this Sunday against the Eagles, though if he's not slowed by the hamstring injury, Strong could be in position to serve as the No. 2 option. D'Onta Foreman has served as the primary complement to Ford this season but is nursing an ankle injury this week, while Nick Chubb (knee) has resumed practicing but is uncertain to be ready to make his 2024 debut Sunday.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Light duty in return
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Strong had one carry for two yards, failed to catch his lone target and returned five kickoffs for 124 yards in Sunday's 34-13 loss to the Commanders in Week 5.
Strong returned to action after missing two games due to a hamstring injury. His snap counts -- five on offense and eight on special teams -- were the lowest in the three games in which he's been active. With Nick Chubb (knee) and Nyheim Hines (knee) back practicing -- both were inactive Sunday -- Strong could see his opportunities on offense cut back in Week 6 against the Eagles.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Returning in Week 5
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Strong (hamstring) is active Week 5 against the Commanders.
While Strong will return from a two-game absence, he'll still presumably be behind Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman on the running back depth chart. When he did suit up in Weeks 1 and 2, Strong saw more work on special teams than he did on offense, so the fantasy upside is limited.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Questionable for Week 5
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Strong (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Commanders, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Strong will be looking to return after missing the Browns' previous two contests with a pulled hamstring. Even if active, Strong looks to be behind both Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman for playing time out of Cleveland's backfield. Strong has minimal fantasy value outside of the deepest of formats.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Limited participant Thursday
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Strong (hamstring) was limited in Thursday's practice.
Strong was a limited participant for the second straight day as the Browns prepare for a Week 5 matchup on the road at Washington. Both Nick Chubb (knee) and Nyheim Hines (knee) were designated to return this week, but it's looking like neither will play Sunday. If Strong is ready to go, he could join D'Onta Foreman behind starter Jerome Ford in a backfield that's off to a slow start. Strong could also see opportunities as a returner.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Limited Wednesday
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Strong (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Strong has missed the Browns' last two games due to a hamstring injury sustained during the team's Week 2 win over the Jaguars. The 25-year-old didn't practice at all last week, so Wednesday's limited session could mean he's trending in a positive direction ahead of the Browns' Week 5 matchup against the Commanders.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Logs another DNP
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Strong (hamstring) did not practice Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Strong still hasn't stepped on the field since suffering the injury in Week 2. He'll likely need to return to practice Friday to have any chance of suiting up Sunday against the Raiders, but even then he may be leaning closer to doubtful for the matchup.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Ruled out for Week 3
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Strong (hamstring) is out for Sunday's game against the Giants, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Strong pulled his hamstring in the Browns' Week 2 win over the Jaguars and didn't practice all week. With Strong set to miss Sunday's contest, the Browns are expected to ride their backfield tandem of Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman in a favorable spot as home favorites.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Not practicing
Rotowire
Strong (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Strong is considered week-to-week after injuring his hamstring in Sunday's 18-13 win over Jacksonville. Strong thus is likely to miss at least one game, leaving Cleveland's backfield in the hands of Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman, both of whom had already been working ahead of Strong.
