Browns' Pierre Strong: Placed on IR for season finale
Rotowire
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: Won't play at Baltimore
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Strong (concussion) is out for Saturday's game against the Ravens, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Strong will sit out just his third game of the season in Week 18 due to a concussion he suffered Sunday versus the Dolphins. He will finish the 2024 season with 26 carries for 108 yards and 14 receptions for 104 yards.
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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: Two touches in loss
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Strong had two carries for five yards in Sunday's 35-14 loss to New Orleans in Week 11.
Strong was given garbage-time work, getting both touches on the team's final drive. He's had pockets of high usage this season, when filling in for the injured Nick Chubb or Jerome Ford, but both of them are back. Strong has just seven touches over the last three weeks.
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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: Ready to rock
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Strong (hamstring) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Eagles, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
The South Dakota State product upgraded to full practice Friday after logging limited sessions both Wednesday and Thursday, suggesting that he's moved past his hamstring issue. Expect Strong to serve as the Browns' No. 3 running back Week 6, playing behind both Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman.
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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.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Won't return Sunday
Rotowire
Strong has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Jaguars due to a hamstring injury, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Strong returned one kickoff for 25 yards and rushed for minus-five yards on one carry before leaving Sunday's contest. D'Onta Foreman will be the primary backup at running back behind Jerome Ford for the rest of the game.
