PIERRE STRONG JR. NEWS

Placed on IR for season finale The Browns placed Strong (concussion) on injured reserve Friday.

Impact 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 14-104-0 receiving 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, final year of his rookie deal.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play at Baltimore Strong (concussion) is out for Saturday's game against the Ravens, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Not practicing Wednesday Strong (concussion) did not participate at practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact 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 or Friday to be able to suit up Saturday at Baltimore.

JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

In concussion protocols Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday that Strong has entered concussion protocols after injuring his head against the Dolphins on Sunday, Ashley Bastock of The Cleveland Plain D...

Impact Strong left for the final two minutes of Sunday's game in order to be evaluated for a head injury, and he has been diagnosed with a concussion. He'll now be in the league's five-step concussion protocols, which he would have to clear in order to play in the Browns' regular-season finale against the Ravens on Saturday. Starter Jerome Ford is working through an ankle injury, so D'Onta Foreman and John Kelly are the only healthy running backs on the Browns' 53-man roster for the beginning of the practice week.

DECEMBER 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Forty-eight combined yards in loss 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 in Week 17.

Impact This was the most volume Strong has seen since Week 5. Jerome Ford sustained an ankle injury was limited to 15 snaps, opening opportunities for Strong and D'Onta Foreman. That duo could operate as the main backs Week 18 against the Ravens. Even if Ford's health improves enough to be an option, head coach Kevin Stefanski may not want to use the only running back signed through next season in such a meaningless game.

DECEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Increases activity Strong had two carries for six yards and caught both of his targets for three yards in Sunday's 24-6 loss to Cincinnati in Week 16.

Impact This was the first game after Nick Chubb's foot injury that forced him 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 the first since Week 11, and his 13 snaps the most since Week 8.

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Elevates to No. 2 Strong will serve as the backup running back Sunday against the Bengals.

Impact With Nick Chubb (foot) on season-ending injured reserve, Jerome Ford becomes the lead runner with Strong and D'Onta Foreman getting evaluation opportunities over the final three weeks. Strong is under contract for next season while Foreman is not. When both Chubb and Ford were healthy over the last six games, Strong had just four carries for 13 yards and two catches (two targets) for nine yards.

DECEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Two touches in loss Strong had two carries for five yards in Sunday's 35-14 loss to New Orleans in Week 11.

Impact Strong's had a 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.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back to third on depth chart Strong had two carries for eight yards and went untargeted in Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Chargers in Week 9. He also returned two kickoffs for 47 yards.

Impact Strong dropped a notch on the backfield depth chart with the return of Jerome Ford from a hamstring injury. Strong dropped behind Nick Chubb and Ford on the depth chart and saw his opportunities diminish. For Strong to have a significant backfield role going forward, outside of an injury to those above him on the depth chart, the Browns would have to decide blow up the roster ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline and trade Chubb, who is operating on a one-year deal.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

No carries in win 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.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

No carries in win 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.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Set for backup role Sunday Strong is expected to back up Nick Chubb in the Browns' backfield, as Jerome Ford (hamstring) was designated as out for Sunday's game against Baltimore.

Impact Strong led Cleveland's backfield in snaps last week, topping out at 42 compared to Chubb's 30 and D'Onta Foreman's 11. That mix will likely change Sunday in Chubb's second game back from injury. Strong could benefit as a receiver if the Browns attempt to take advantage of the Ravens' pass defense, which ranks 28th in passing yards allowed per game (250.6).

OCTOBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Four touches in loss Strong had three rushes for six yards and caught one of three targets for nine yards in Sunday's 21-14 loss to Cincinnati.

Impact Sunday featured a reconfiguration of the backfield depth chart. The starter for the first six weeks, Jerome Ford (hamstring), was inactive, and Nick Chubb returned from a knee injury -- his first action since Week 2 of 2023. Chubb played into the third quarter, before leaving much of the second half to Strong and D'Onta Foreman (two touches).

OCTOBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Four touches in loss Strong had three rushes for six yards and caught one of three targets for nine yards in Sunday's 21-14 loss to Cincinnati.

Impact Sunday featured a reconfiguration of the backfield depth chart. The starter for the first six weeks, Jerome Ford (hamstring), was inactive, and Nick Chubb returned from a knee injury -- his first action since Week 2 of 2023. Chubb played into the third quarter, before leaving much of the second half to Strong and D'Onta Foreman (two touches). Strong's 42 snaps led the backfield, while Chubb had 30 and D'Onta Foreman's snap count landed at 11.

OCTOBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

In backfield mix Week 7 Strong is expected to be one of three running backs available for Sunday's game against the Bengals..

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Leading rusher in loss Strong carried the ball eight times for 43 yards and caught two of three targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Eagles.

Impact Jerome Ford (hamstring) left the game early, and Strong wound up leading the Browns in rushing yards on the afternoon while also falling just seven receiving yards shy of Amari Cooper for the team lead in that category as well. While it was Strong's best performance of the season, he may not get much of a chance to repeat it with Nick Chubb (knee) expected to return to action in Week 7 against the Bengals.

OCTOBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Leading rusher in loss Strong carried the ball eight times for 43 yards and caught two of three targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Eagles.

Impact Jerome Ford (hamstring) left the game early, and Strong wound up leading the Browns in rushing yards on the afternoon while also falling just seven receiving yards shy of Amari Cooper for the team lead in that category as well. While it was Strong's best performance of the season, he may not get much of a chance to repeat it with Nick Chubb (knee) expected to return to action in Week 7 against the Bengals.

OCTOBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to rock Strong (hamstring) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Eagles, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Impact 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 in Week 6, playing behind both Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman.

OCTOBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Limited in Wednesday's practice Strong (hamstring) was limited in practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Strong missed two games due to a hamstring injury prior to returning in the Week 5 loss to Washington, but it looks like he's still dealing with some lingering effects of the injury. He had just one carry and one target in his return while also returning kickoffs on special teams. Jerome Ford is set to continue leading Cleveland's banged-up backfield Sunday against the Eagles, as the Browns are battling backfield injuries of varying degrees to Strong, D'Onta Foreman (ankle), Nick Chubb (knee) and Nyheim Hines (knee).

OCTOBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Light duty in return Strong had one carry for zero yards and played five snaps on offense in Sunday's 34-13 loss to the Commanders in Week 5.

Impact Strong returned to action after missing two game but was given light duty. His time on the field on offense and special teams (eight snaps) were the lowest in the three games in which he's been active. With Nick Chubb (knee) and Nyheim Hynes (knee) back practicing, Strong could see his opportunities on offense cut back Week 6 against the Eagles.

OCTOBER 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns in Week 5 Strong (hamstring) is active Week 5 against the Commanders.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returning in Week 5 Strong (hamstring) is active Week 5 against the Commanders.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Week 5 Strong (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Commanders, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Impact Strong will be looking to return after missing the Browns' previous two contests with his 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.

OCTOBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Limited participant Thursday Strong (hamstring) was limited in Thursday's practice.

Impact 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. Strong could also see opportunities as a returner.

OCTOBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Limited Wednesday Strong (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE