CLEVELAND — Pierre Strong is in his third NFL season but has never really been given more than the occasional token opportunity to be a running back.
As a rookie with New England he had one carry through the season's first 12 games. In Week 13 he got five carries and produced 70 yards. A week later he had four rushes for 25 yards. And that was it. He finished the year with 100 yards on 10 attempts.
A trade to Cleveland in 2023 led to a slightly larger role and again the former Jackrabbit delivered when given the chance, rushing for 291 yards on 63 carries.
This year Strong has once again spent most of his time on special teams, having appeared in just three of the Browns' first five games and getting a total of four carries.
Sunday at Philadelphia Strong was finally given an extended run in the backfield and guess what — he was productive once again.
Eight carries for 43 yards (5.4 per carry) with two receptions for 35 yards.
For his career Strong has rushed for 441 yards on 85 attempts, a 5.2 average per carry, with two touchdowns, while also catching 17 passes for 154 yards.
And for what it's worth he has been pretty good on special teams, too, with a 24.4 average on 19 kick returns and 16 tackles as a kick coverage man.
The Browns are now 1-5 after Sunday's loss to Philadelphia, so maybe they'll be inclined to give the Little Rock native more chances the rest of the way.
Here's how the rest of the NFL's South Dakotans did in Week 6.
Jack Cochrane, LB, Kansas City, USD
The Chiefs were idle.
Isaiah Davis, RB, New York Jets, SDSU
Returned a kickoff 33 yards and had a tackle on special teams in the Jets' Monday Night loss to the Bills.
Dennis Gardeck, LB, Arizona, USF
Had four tackles (one for loss) in the Cards' loss to Green Bay.
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia, SDSU/Britton-Hecla
Left early with an injury and did not record any statistics in the Eagles' win over Cleveland.
CJ Ham, FB, Minnesota, Augustana
The Vikings were idle.
Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay, SDSU/Timber Lake
Had two catches for 13 yards and one rush for two yards (in a play that was very familiar to Jackrabbit fans) in the Packers' win over the Cardinals.
Mason McCormick, G, Pittsburgh, SDSU/SF Roosevelt
Started and played all 67 offensive snaps in the Steelers' win over the Raiders.
Trey Pipkins, G, LA Chargers, USF
Started at right guard but was limited to 30 snaps by a shoulder injury in the Chargers' win over Denver.
Tip Reiman, TE, Arizona, SF O'Gorman
Started and played 12 offensive snaps in the Cardinals' loss to Green Bay, but did not record any statistics.
Christian Rozeboom, LB, LA Rams, SDSU
The Rams were idle.
Pierre Strong, RB, Cleveland, SDSU
Rushed 8 times for 43 yards and had two receptions for 35 yards in the Browns' loss to the Eagles.
On injured reserve
Myles Harden, CB, Cleveland, USD
On practice squads
Kameron Cline, DL, Buffalo, USD
Blake Larson, OL, LA Rams, Augsutana/Brandon Valley
Brock Mogensen, LB, Dallas, USD
Isaiah Stalbird, LB, New Orleans, SDSU
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