Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring) was officially a non-participant in the Browns' Wednesday practice. The third-year RB suffered the injury in Cleveland's 18-13 road victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Strong would be week-to-week; thus, it stands to reason that he could miss at least one game. On the season so far, he's toted the rock just three times for five yards, though he does lead backfield mates D'Onta Foreman and Jerome Ford in receiving yards (30) on three catches. Strong also contributes in the return game, totaling 25 yards on his lone kickoff return. Expect Ford and Foreman to divvy up Strong's touches while he is on the shelf, with Jaelon Darden and James Proche II handling return duties. Cleveland will face off against the Browns at home this Sunday.
Sep 18, 2024 9:50 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring) exited during the second half of Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and will not return. At the time of his departure, he had 10 rushing yards, 25 kick return yards, and -5 receiving yards. Despite some speculation that Strong may operate as the Browns' primary backup running back this week, he was ultimately out-produced by both Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman before he exited the contest. Strong will remain off the fantasy radar even if he's healthy enough to play in Week 3.
Sep 15, 2024 3:06 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (ribs) went into an ambulance on Wednesday after individual drills. It was then later reported by Cleveland's head coach Kevin Stefanski that Strong suffered a rib injury. There are no more details yet. However, it's a good sign that Strong was able to walk off the field himself. Either way, the 25-year-old is listed as the fourth running back on the Browns' unofficial depth chart, behind Jerome Ford, D'Onta Foreman, and Nick Chubb (knee) when he returns. Strong is not slated to have a huge fantasy impact in 2024, but if he is healthy, monitor his number of touches compared to the rest of Cleveland's running backs.
Aug 21, 2024 5:10 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. racked up the yardage in his team's 23-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers in their preseason opener on Saturday. Strong carried the ball six times for 15 yards while adding two catches for 10 yards in the contest. He also made an impact in the return game as he took the Browns' first kick return 27 yards to set up a field-goal-scoring drive. Strong is stuck behind multiple running backs on the depth chart but he could carve out a decent role if Nick Chubb (knee) isn't ready to play in Week 1 or if Jerome Ford suffers an injury during the season. Strong could also hold some value in fantasy leagues that give points for yardage in the return game, especially with the new dynamic kickoff rules in place.
Aug 10, 2024 10:12 PM EST
The Athletic's Zac Jackson projects Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. to make the team with both Nick Chubb and Nyheim Hines coming off knee injuries. Strong might be the fifth running back on the team, though, and he might not play RB at all. He showcased his impressive straight-line speed in May and June during offseason workouts and most of his work will likely come on special teams as a punt gunner and kickoff returner. For that, he'll likely be on the game-day roster, despite a RB room that includes Chubb, Hines, Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman. Strong and backup cornerback Justin Hardee Sr. are near the top of the list of players in line to make the roster for special teams purposes. Just don't count on Strong being anywhere near the fantasy radar in 2024.
Jun 20, 2024 2:36 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (back) was participating in organized team activities on Wednesday. Strong appears to be recovered from a back injury that kept him out of the team's wild-card loss to the Houston Texans in the postseason. The 25-year-old was active for all 17 regular-season games in 2023 in his first year in Cleveland but only started one contest and had 63 rushing attempts for 21 yards and one touchdown while adding five receptions on eight targets for 47 yards through the air. Lead back Nick Chubb (knee) is recuperating from a gruesome knee injury and may not be ready to go by Week 1, but the Browns also added backfield depth this offseason in D'Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines. Even if Chubb isn't ready to go, Strong is merely going to be RB depth in Cleveland, and he's not a lock to make the roster out of training camp.
Jun 5, 2024 10:47 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (back) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's Wild-Card game against the Houston Texans. Strong was considered questionable heading into this game due to a back issue. The Browns have decided to take the cautious approach and hold him out of this game. His absence won't have a huge impact on the running game for Cleveland. The expectation is that Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt will see basically all the carries in the backfield.
Jan 13, 2024 4:41 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (back) has been listed as questionable for Saturday's wild-card playoff game against the Houston Texans. Strong injured his back in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals and now may not be available for the first playoff game this weekend. If the 25-year-old second-year back does not suit up in Houston, receiver James Proche II will most likely handle return duties on special teams. Strong hasn't really been a fantasy asset in 2023 in his first season in Cleveland while serving as the No. 3 back behind Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt. He's seen 63 rushing attempts on the year for 291 yards and one touchdown in 17 games.
Jan 11, 2024 3:05 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (back) was listed as a non-participant for the team's first practice of the week on Tuesday. Strong was injured during his 14-carry, 65-yard rushing performance in his first and only start of the 2023 season in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals with the Browns resting both Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt in a meaningless game. It remains to be seen if the 25-year-old will be available for this Saturday's wild-card playoff contest versus the Houston Texans, but even if Strong is available for Cleveland, he'll be one to ignore for DFS contests as the No. 3 behind Ford and Hunt. If Strong cannot get the green light to play this weekend, John Kelly Jr. could be called up from the practice squad to the active roster.
Jan 9, 2024 8:17 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. carried the ball 14 times for 65 yards and failed to corral his lone target in a 31-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18. With the Browns opting to rest several key veterans in the game, Strong got the start and wound up posting career highs in carries. With the Browns slated to face the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round next week, look for Strong to return to the RB3 role for the Browns. He makes for an interesting stash in deeper dynasty leagues heading into the offseason.
Jan 7, 2024 4:28 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. has seen just 49 carries for 226 yards as the team's No. 3 RB this season. He could be in store for an increased role in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals, however. The Browns have already locked up the No. 5 seed in the AFC and don't have much to play for in the regular-season finale. The team hasn't ruled Jerome Ford or Kareem Hunt out yet but it wouldn't be a surprise if both running backs sat out of Week 18. If that happens, Strong would operate as the team's lead back against a Cincinnati defense that is allowing the 14th-most fantasy points per game to running backs this season. Strong sets up as a solid flex option in season-long formats and an interesting RB2 in DFS contests this weekend.
Jan 6, 2024 10:03 AM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. Strong went in the Browns' Week 10 contest against the Ravens with a questionable tag but ended up suiting up in that game. He did not record a single offensive touch, however, and was limited to special teams. It's possible that the Browns were concerned about his hamstring so they intentionally limited his snaps. But with both Kareem Hunt and Jerome Ford healthy, Strong's fantasy upside is extremely limited.
Nov 15, 2023 6:38 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens. He had been listed as questionable but was widely expected to play after practicing on Friday. With that said, Strong is off the fantasy radar as he remains the Browns' No. 3 running back behind Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt.
Nov 12, 2023 11:34 AM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring) has been listed as questionable on the final injury report for the Week 10 contest versus the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Strong was a deep-league flex consideration several weeks ago when Jerome Ford was banged up, but both Ford and Kareem Hunt are no longer on the injury report, making Strong pretty useless for fantasy managers moving forward if he's active. The 24-year-old has just 34 rushing attempts for 152 yards and one touchdown and has added two catches (three targets) for 34 yards in eight games in his second NFL season (first with the Browns) in 2023. Stay away.
Nov 10, 2023 1:22 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring) was listed as DNP for Wednesday's practice. The 24-year-old running back had been dealing with a hamstring issue for the last week or so and it limited him to just four touches in the Browns' Week 9 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Strong's fantasy value was already dwindling with Jerome Ford returning to action last week as well. Even if he gets in a full practice before Sunday, Strong remains firmly behind Ford and Kareem Hunt on the RB depth chart.
Nov 8, 2023 6:34 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. carried the ball 10 times for 41 yards and added a 41-yard reception in a 24-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8. Strong got his most extensive amount of work yet as the second-year pro logged season-highs in carries and total yards in the loss. The Browns have been working Strong in more of late and that could continue with Jerome Ford playing through an ankle injury. Strong is worth an add off waivers in deeper leagues moving forward. He will face the Arizona Cardinals at home in Week 9.
Oct 29, 2023 8:59 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. got onto the field in the Monday night loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers because of the season-ending injury to Nick Chubb (knee) and took advantage by scoring his first touchdown of the season. Strong finished with only two carries for one yard and the goal-line touchdown while failing to haul in his only target in the passing game. The 24-year-old will now have an elevated role with Chubb out for the rest of the year, but Jerome Ford, who had a team-high 16 carries for 106 yards after Chubb left, should be the priority waiver-wire addition in all fantasy leagues this week if he's available. Strong is worth an addition as well for those managers that miss out on Ford in deeper leagues.
Sep 19, 2023 11:36 AM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. could have a role right away with his new organization. The 24-year-old was acquired from the New England Patriots on Sunday. Strong will join Nick Chubb and Jerome Ford as the trio in the backfield to begin the regular season. It's worth noting that Ford has been banged up, but was able to return to practice on Thursday. The expectation is that Ford is going to be the change-of-pace back to begin the season. However, Ford has little experience in the league, so Strong is basically insurance in the backfield. The former fourth-round pick does have talent and shouldn't be overlooked. However, fantasy managers can ignore him for now, but keep an eye on him in case Ford does struggle.
Aug 31, 2023 10:13 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns acquired running back Pierre Strong Jr. from the New England Patriots on Sunday in exchange for offensive tackle Tyrone Wheatley Jr., according to sources. The move gives Cleveland some more backfield depth behind workhorse Nick Chubb. It's bad news for Jerome Ford, who was set to a bigger role as Chubb's primary backup in 2023. Strong will compete with Ford and Demetric Felton Jr. for touches in the Browns backfield. Back in New England, the trade of Strong likely means second-year back Kevin Harris will be the Patriots' No. 3 behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott this year.
Aug 27, 2023 11:30 AM EST
New England Patriots running back Pierre Strong Jr. rushed for 31 yards on attempts while catching both targets for 13 yards in Friday's 23-7 preseason loss to the Tennessee Titans. He entered the game after Kevin Harris but had three more touches in the preseason finale. The 24-year-old was in concussion protocol for 10 days before returning to practice on Tuesday. Strong is competing with Harris, J.J. Taylor, and Ty Montgomery for a spot on the Patriots running back depth chart behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott. Strong was among the few bright spots for New England in the preseason finale but would only be on the fantasy radar if he could secure the Patriots' RB3 gig.
Aug 26, 2023 8:17 AM EST