Running back Kenyan Drake practically went from the plane to pads after signing with the Indianapolis Colts.

“Let me tell you something: I was on a plane this time yesterday, literally 24 hours ago,” Drake said after Saturday night’s practice. “The first rep that I had today was a live rep, and I felt like I was running in mud, so literally it’s not going to be anywhere to go but up from here.

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“But the experience I’ve had playing in this game, being at this high level, I’m going to continue to get better day in and day out, put the extra work in to make sure I get up to speed because these guys have been through OTAs and camp and jelled together and got their ability and mind together in that sense. But the love for this game and the preparation I know I need to put in is going to carry me to continue to do what I need to do.”

The former Alabama standout had been an unrestricted free agent since March 15. The Colts signed Drake with their top two running backs unavailable.

The NFL’s rushing leader in 2021, Jonathan Taylor is on the physically-unable-to-perform list, which prevents him from practicing. As he enters the final season of his rookie contract, Taylor wants a contract extension. But Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay said that wasn’t in the plans at this time, and reports indicate Taylor has asked to be traded.

Zack Moss was supposed to serve as Taylor’s backup this season after running for 365 yards in eight games for the Colts in 2022. But Moss broke his arm during practice last week.

Of the available running backs on the Colts’ roster before Drake signed, only two had carried the football during an NFL regular-season game. Deon Jackson had 236 yards and one touchdown on 68 rushing attempts for Indianapolis last season, and Jake Funk had two carries for 5 yards in his NFL career.

“It’s just a great opportunity to come here and help a budding team win games,” Drake said. “Obviously, I was on a plane yesterday at this same time; first day out here, I’m in pads, so I’m just having fun kind of rolling with the punches. …

“I just kind of wanted the opportunity, and Indy gave me the opportunity. I love this game, I love the grind, I love the hustle, and the first time of me really not being on a team throughout OTAs and camp, I had a good feeling about the regimen that I did without a team. But being back out here, being in the camaraderie in the locker room, it meant a lot just to come here and add my value to this organization.”

A third-round draft choice in 2016, Drake has played for the Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens across seven NFL seasons.

Drake has run for 3,866 yards and 33 touchdowns on 867 carries and caught 216 passes for 1,624 yards and eight touchdowns in 101 NFL regular-season games.

In 12 games, with five starts, for the Ravens last season, Drake ran for 482 yards and four touchdowns on 109 carries and caught 17 passes for 89 yards and one touchdown.

“Not that I necessarily need to play football, but I want to,” Drake said, “so every day I woke up with the same mindset: I’m hungry to go out there and continue to prove myself. My financial standpoint – I know people love to count people’s pockets – but I’ve made a good amount of money in my career playing this game, and I have a good foundation to continue to live a life that I want to live with myself and my family. But I still love this game, and I want to go out here and prove that I can still be a valuable option for any team and, obviously, being here now, for this team.”

Drake said he had tried to stay ready throughout the offseason so he could hit the ground running with his next NFL team.

“I had to kind of channel my pre-draft-type mentality where I didn’t know where I was going to go,” Drake said. “But I knew every day I had to get up and keep the main thing the main thing, which was focusing on my next opportunity, which was preparation, getting a workout, getting a call and handling my business from there.”

The Colts will kick off their three-game preseason schedule at noon CDT Saturday when they visit the Buffalo Bills.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.