Former FCS All-American Leaves Practice In Ambulance After Injury

Zachary McKinnell | Aug 21, 2024

Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. during warm-ups before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars / Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. left practice in an ambulance after suffering an injury during individual drills.

The team revealed that Strong suffered a rib contusion and was taken the hospital as a precautionary measure. It was another setback for the franchise, which has dealt with multiple injuries at the running back position. D'Onta Freeman was airlifted to the hospital after suffering a neck injury on Aug. 1, while Nick Chubb and Nyheim Hines have yet to participate due to knee injuries from last season.

Strong was competing for playing time in a loaded running back room in Cleveland. He saw action 17 games last season, recording 291 rushing yards and one touchdown on 63 carries. He started his career with the New England Patriots, seeing limited action as a rookie.

The New England Patriots selected Strong with the 127th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. In his lone season, Strong posted 100 rushing yards on 10 carries and one rushing touchdown.

Strong was a three-time FCS All-American at South Dakota State from 2017-21. He exploded onto the scene with a Freshman All-American season in 2018, rushing for 1,116 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Jackrabbits.

Over his collegiate career, Strong recorded 4,527 rushing yards, 40 rushing touchdowns, 62 receptions, 581 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns. He ranked third in program history in career rushing yards and was only the fourth player in school history to top 1,000 rushing yards in three different seasons.

#Browns RB Pierre Strong Jr was second Browns RB loaded into an ambulance this camp. 1st was D’Onta Foreman at The Greenbrier. Foreman was transported by helicopter to hospital but had feeling in extremities. Returned to practice 8/8. Ambulance has pulled away.

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 21, 2024

Update: Good news on #Browns running back Pierre Strong. Strong suffered only a rib contusion and has been released from University Hospital, where he was taken by ambulance after experiencing shortness of breath in practice Aug. 21.

— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) August 21, 2024

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