During practice this week, quarterback Kyler Murray lined up next to a running back who was lost.
By Thursday night, an intriguing new addition to the Cardinals' backfield had been found.
Kenyan Drake played shockingly well during the 28-25 loss to the 49ers, proving to be an impact player just three days after being acquired from the Dolphins in a trade deadline deal.
He carried the ball 15 times for 110 yards and a touchdown while adding four catches for 52 yards. Drake was on the field nearly full-time after cramming in as much study time as possible following a Monday afternoon arrival in Arizona.
"Coach (Kliff) Kingsbury told me he was going to get me the ball," Drake said. "I didn't know to what degree, but to go out here, make plays and help this team win games, that's what I'm here for. They went out and gave an asset for me, so regardless of the short week they expected me to come in and produce and help this team win games. I took it upon myself to do my part."
Murray could tell Drake was swimming in terminology during the short week of preparation, but felt by Wednesday's practice things were beginning to click. The Cardinals were in dire straits at the position with starting running back David Johnson (ankle) and backup Chase Edmonds (hamstring) both sidelined due to injuries.
Drake capped the team's opening drive with a physical 4-yard run and showed a great combination of elusiveness and power throughout the contest.
"Super impressed," Murray said. "To be honest, I kind of felt or knew what he was capable of. Everybody's situations are different, but in this offense I felt like if he just felt comfortable enough to understand the plays and concepts, he would thrive."
The Cardinals ran the ball well in the first eight games of the season and could have tried to piece it together with Alfred Morris and Zach Zenner until the return of the regular backs, but GM Steve Keim was aggressive before the trade deadline.
Drake always had a solid yards-per-carry average with the Dolphins but never secured full-time duty. The carries were available right away upon his arrival and Drake made the most of them.
"I'm happy for a guy like that, who wasn't utilized like he was in his former place, and gets a chance on "Thursday Night Football" on a short week, knowing no one's expecting much from you," right tackle Justin Pugh said. "That's a true underdog, and he rose to the occasion. I'm excited to see going forth what he can do the rest of the year."
Edmonds didn't practice all week and it is unclear exactly how long he or Johnson will be out. If Drake can keep up this standard of play, he figures to have some type of role the rest of the way.
"I think his skillset is perfect for what we do," Kingsbury said. "He's explosive, he runs tough. For him to come in and learn an entire game plan – and we didn't pull anything back. We knew we'd have to call our best game against those guys."
Drake's personal life is still in a bit of chaos. He returned to a hotel after the game and needs to find somewhere to live. His car is being shipped from Miami, so there is plenty to do in the coming days.
"Busy weekend," Drake said.
If he can handle it as well as he did the game, Drake will be in good shape.
"All I had to do was come in and learn the game plan," Drake said. "It wasn't like they threw the book at me. It was a specific game plan we had to work on. I came here and just tried to make the plays that were there."
Images from Thursday Night Football at State Farm Stadium
QB Kyler Murray
RB Kenyan Drake
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws prior to an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Halloween.
Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman (25) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
RB Kenyan Drake celebrates his touchdown run.
49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) pulls in a touchdown pass as Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy (33) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
49ers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (17) is hit by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (32) as defensive back Tramaine Brock (20) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake.
49ers tight end George Kittle (85) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Haason Reddick (43) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals Kenyan Drake (41) score a touchdown as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake warms up prior to an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
A Cardinals fan cheers prior to an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
RB Kenyan Drake celebrates his touchdown run.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
RB Kenyan Drake takes the first carry of the game 36 yards.
A Cardinals fan on Halloween.
S Budda Baker breaks up a pass intended for 49ers TE George Kittle.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws against the 49ers.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) tries to avoid Arizona Cardinals defenders during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo throws against the Cardinals.
Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (right) celebrates his touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (left).
49ers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders scores a touchdown as Cardinals linebacker Haason Reddick defends.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws against the San Francisco 49ers.
49ers tight end George Kittle is tackled short of the goal line by Cardinals safety Deionte Thompson.
49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo gets the throw off as Cardinals linebacker Terrell Suggs applies pressure.
49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel can't make the catch as Cardinals linebacker Jordan Hicks defends.
Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald against the 49ers.
49ers defensive end Nick Bosa blocks against Cardinals offensive tackle D.J. Humphries.
49ers running back Matt Breida avoids the tackle of Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson.
Cardinals wide receiver KeeSean Johnson celebrates his touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers with fans during the second half.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is tackled by 49ers defensive end Dee Ford during the game on Halloween.
Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones celebrates his sack of 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo during the second half on Thursday.
49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo throws against the Cardinals during the second half.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald takes a hit by 49ers linebacker Fred Warner.
Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake during the second half.
Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella scores a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers late during the second half.
49ers running back Tevin Coleman is hit by Cardinals linebackers Jordan Hicks and Cassius Marsh.
A fan dressed in a halloween costume cheers during the second half of an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night.
49ers wide receiver Richie James runs as Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck defends.
Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella runs for touchdown after the catch as 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward pursues during the second half.
49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo greets Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones after the game in Glendale, Ariz. The 49ers won 28-25.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald greets 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman after the game on Thursday Night Football. The 49ers won 28-25.
49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo greets Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray after the game. The 49ers won 28-25.
Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury (left) greets San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan after an NFL football game on Halloween in Glendale, Ariz. The 49ers won 28-25.
