Strong returns to the Browns backfield in 2024 as a reserve running back, but he's not worth drafting in the majority of leagues. Strong will open the season behind Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman, and it's hard to envision Strong getting much playing time unless there are multiple injuries. In 2023, Strong didn't have much of an impact for the Browns and Fantasy managers even when Chubb (knee) was injured, and he likely won't make much of an impact again this season. At best, you can add Strong off the waiver wire if he starts off the season playing well.
Browns' Pierre Strong: Practicing without limitations
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Strong (ribs) wasn't listed on Cleveland's injury report Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Strong practiced fully heading into Sunday's season opener against the Cowboys. He's likely to play a rotational role alongside D'Onta Foreman in a Browns backfield that will be led by Jerome Ford in the absence of Nick Chubb (knee), who will miss at least the first four games after opening the season on the PUP list. The speedy Strong is also listed as the top kickoff returner on the Browns' unofficial depth chart.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: One of two RBs on roster
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Strong (ribs) was one of two running backs on Cleveland's initial 53-man roster that was released Tuesday, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.
Strong's presence on the roster is an indication that his recent rib injury isn't serious, but the Browns are still expected to add a third running back before Week 1, with the most likely option being a re-signing of D'Onta Foreman. For now, Strong and presumed Week 1 starter Jerome Ford are the only backs on the 53-man roster, as Foreman was released Tuesday while Nick Chubb (knee) and Nyheim Hines (knee) were placed on injury lists. Chubb and Hines are ineligible for the first four games of the season.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: In line to resume practicing
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Coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Strong (ribs) will return to practice this week, Patrick Warren of the Browns' official site reports.
Strong departed Wednesday's practice in an ambulance and was transported to a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with a rib contusion. He has two weeks remaining to resume practicing in full before Cleveland's regular-season opener against the Cowboys on Sept. 8.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Released from hospital
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Strong was released from the hospital Wednesday after being diagnosed with a rib contusion, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Strong left Wednesday's practice in an ambulance as a precaution after experiencing shortness of breath as a result of the injury, according to a statement provided by the Browns. Strong, who could open the season as the No. 2 running back behind Jerome ford, looks to have avoided a serious injury, but he could still be held out of Saturday's preseason finale against the Seahawks.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Leaves practice in ambulance
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Strong left Wednesday's practice in an ambulance after suffering a rib injury, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
According to Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, Strong was able to head into the team facilities with a trainer by his side, and he now looks set to go the hospital for further evaluation. With Nick Chubb (knee) still sidelined, Strong appears in good position to begin the regular season as the No. 2 running back behind Jerome Ford, but he may now be dealing with a serious injury.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Cameo in preseason loss
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Strong carried the ball three times for two yards and caught one of two targets for three yards in Saturday's 27-12 preseason loss to the Vikings.
With Cleveland sitting out all its starters and key reserves, Strong got the start in the backfield but left the game after only two drives, with D'Onta Foreman getting an extended look after that. The usage bodes well for Strong's chances of securing the No. 2 spot on the running back depth chart behind Jerome Ford to begin the season, but it would be only a temporary assignment until Nick Chubb (knee) is ready for game action.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Gets 63 carries in 2023
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Strong (back) had 63 carries for 291 yards and one touchdown to go with five catches for 47 yards on eight targets while appearing in all 17 regular-season games.
Strong spent his rookie season with the Patriots in 2022 but was traded to the Browns in August. Nick Chubb's season-ending knee injury opened up an opportunity, but the Browns promoted Jerome Ford to the top of the depth chart and re-signed Kareem Hunt, leaving Strong in a little-used third-string role. Chubb is expected to be recovered by the start of the 2024 season, and Ford remains on hand as well, so Strong's usage isn't projected to increase moving forward. On a positive note, the back injury that kept Strong from playing in the team's wild-card round loss to Houston last weekend isn't expected to affect his availability moving forward.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Questionable versus Houston
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Strong (back) is listed as questionable for Cleveland's wild-card matchup against Houston on Saturday, Mary Kay Cabot of Celveland.com reports.
Strong suffered a back injury during the team's season finale, which has cast doubt on his availability for Saturday's playoff game. If the 2022 fourth-round pick ends up being unable to play, James Proche should handle Cleveland's kick-return duties.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Manages limited practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Strong (back) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
Strong was unable to practice Tuesday, so his presence at Wednesday's session represents a step in the right direction. Even still, he'll probably need to practice in full Thursday to avoid carrying an injury designation into Friday and possibly Saturday.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Lead role cut short by injury
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Strong exited in the second half of Sunday's 31-14 loss to the Bengals with an apparent back injury, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports. He rushed 14 times for 65 yards and didn't catch his only target prior to the injury.
Strong worked as the primary ball carrier before getting hurt, as Jerome Ford got three carries and Kareem Hunt registered just one touch. Ford and Hunt are expected to lead Cleveland's backfield in the wild-card round against the Texans, so Strong will likely be bumped back down to a third-string role if his back injury doesn't keep him from suiting up.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Could work as lead back Sunday
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Strong was spotted warming up with the starting offense prior to Sunday's game against the Bengals, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Strong has been the No. 3 option on the depth chart for much of the season, but he looks as though he could get a look in a lead role out of the backfield in the regular-season finale. Though Cleveland is keeping both Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt active, the team's top two running backs may only handle light roles Sunday while the team is already locked in as the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs. The Browns' main goal is to escape Week 18 with the health of its key players intact, creating plenty of opportunities for depth options like Strong to see their most extensive work of the season. Strong has carried 49 times for 226 yards and a touchdown to go with five catches for 47 yards on seven targets through Cleveland's first 16 games.
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Browns' Pierre Strong Jr.: Sleeper RBs
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It would be a surprise if the Browns played Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt much, if at all, in Week 18 at Cincinnati. Cleveland is locked into the No. 5 seed in the AFC, and resting Ford and Hunt for the playoffs makes sense. In that scenario, Strong would be in a featured role in a great matchup against the Bengals. Cincinnati has allowed three running backs in a row to score at least 13.8 PPR points, and Strong is worth using as a flex option in all leagues if Ford and Hunt are out as expected.
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Browns' Pierre Strong Jr.: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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It would be a surprise if the Browns played Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt much, if at all, in Week 18 at Cincinnati. Cleveland is locked into the No. 5 seed in the AFC, and resting Ford and Hunt for the playoffs makes sense. In that scenario, Strong would be in a featured role in a great matchup against the Bengals. Cincinnati has allowed three running backs in a row to score at least 13.8 PPR points, and Strong is worth using as a flex option in all leagues if Ford and Hunt are out as expected.
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Browns' Pierre Strong Jr.: Week 18 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
The Browns will likely rest Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt for the playoffs since they are locked into the No. 5 seed in the AFC, which means we could see Strong in a featured role in a great matchup against the Bengals. Cincinnati has allowed three running backs in a row to score at least 13.8 PPR points, and Strong is worth using as a flex option in all leagues if Ford and Hunt are out as expected.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Most carries since Week 8
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Strong had five carries for 22 yards, did not catch his lone target and returned one kickoff for 36 yards in Sunday's 36-22 win over Houston in Week 16.
Strong's opening kickoff return gave the offense good field position, which set up a 53-yard connection from quarterback Joe Flacco to wideout Amari Cooper. Three plays later, the Browns had a 7-0 lead just 1:42 into the game. That sequence set the tone of the day. On offense, Strong's five totes were his most since Week 8 when Jerome Ford was dealing with an ankle injury. The Browns return to action quickly, Thursday night at home against the Jets, which could lead to a bigger role for Strong as Kareem Hunt is working through a groin injury.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Gets one carry in Week 14
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Strong played five of 76 snaps on offense and carried once for zero yards in Sunday's 31-27 win over the Jaguars. He also returned a kickoff for 29 yards.
Strong took two carries for 20 yards in last week's 36-19 loss to the Rams, but he didn't have the opportunity to build on that performance while the Browns leaned more heavily on Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt in a more tightly contested Week 14 game. Ford emerged from Sunday's win with a wrist injury, so if he's unable to play through the issue in the Browns' Week 15 game against the Bears, Strong could see a heightened role as a change-of-pace option behind Hunt.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Special teams only in Week 10
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Strong did not play on offense during Sunday's 33-31 win over Baltimore.
Strong was questionable all week with a hamstring injury, which may be the reason he was limited to special teams duty, although he did return one kickoff for 33 yards. He entered Sunday with 23 touches over the prior three games, but with Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt healthy, Strong's role figures to be limited. He played just five offensive snaps in Week 9's win over Arizona.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Questionable for Sunday's contest
Rotowire
Strong (hamstring) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Strong returned to a limited practice Thursday after missing Wednesday's session and thus has a chance to suit up this weekend. That said, with both Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt also in the team's RB mix, Strong figures to be limited to complementary work if he's available versus Baltimore.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Dealing with hamstring issue
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Strong won't practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
In the Browns' 27-0 win over the Cardinals this past Sunday, Strong recorded just five snaps on offense, carrying three times for nine yards and catching his only target for minus-7 yards. Strong wasn't reported to have sustained an injury during the contest, but the hamstring issue suddenly puts his availability for this Sunday's game against Baltimore in question. Even if he's able to overcome the issue by the weekend, Strong will be working behind both Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt. The Browns could elevate either Kenyan Drake or John Kelly from the practice squad if Strong isn't able to play Sunday and the team wants another depth option out of the backfield.
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Browns' Pierre Strong: Productive in loss
Rotowire
Strong gained 41 yards on 10 carries and caught his lone target for 41 yards in Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Seahawks. He also returned one kickoff for 15 yards.
Strong, who played a season-high 24 snaps, led the Browns backfield in combined yards, as Kareem Hunt supplied 67 on 15 touches and Jerome Ford managed only 39 yards on 10 touches. Ford dealt with an ankle injury in practice during the week, which helps explain the near-equal three-way split. For a second straight game, Strong showed off his speed, and his 41-yard catch and run late in the first quarter set up the Browns' first touchdown. He also played in the fourth quarter of a close game for a second straight week and lined up at wideout a few times, and the coaching staff clearly trusts him. Ford (26 snaps) looked healthy in a managed role, and the Browns will monitor his ankle heading into a Week 9 tilt against Arizona. Strong's workload will depend to some extent on Ford's availability, but the former seems to have carved out a consistent role.
