Trainers report Shane Vereen benched for the rest of the season
Trainers for the New York Giants have reported to the press today that top-contributing running back Shane Vereen will be removed from the roster after injuring his triceps in yesterday’s loss against the Washington Redskins 29-27.
The Giants have a back-up plan. Rashad Jennings injured himself last week and sat out for Sunday’s game. Jenning’s return could come at the right moment after the Giants’ first loss of the season.
Despite the injury to Vereen, the Giants rushing game was strong. 458 yards in total negated by 128 penalty yardage. Vereen played an important role in the Giants’ scoring 27 points.
The Giants scored two touchdowns thanks to the performance of Giant’s running backs early on in the first quarter of play. Orleans Darwka averaged 5.3 yards a carry and scored from the redone.
Giants fans can rest assured that other running backs can replace the hole in the roster that Vereen’s injury causes.
Darwka’s average yard per carry has increased since the 2015 season from 4.3 to 4.7. In 2015, he rushed for 153 yards in 36 carries. It is hard to believe that in only three games, he has managed to rush for nearly a third of that total yardage for over 50 yards.
Trainers report’s affect on Weeks Ahead
Per Jack Aylmer of Elite Sports NY, the loss of Shane Vereen will be difficult for the Giants offense to tolerate. The Giants will employ Bobby Rainey and Paul Perkins in addition to starter Darwka.
"“The multi talented running back had put forth an up and down start to the season prior to his injury. Vereen had averaged 4.7 yards on 31 carries for 147 yards and one touchdown. He also added eight catches for 75 yards, but had also lost two fumbles through the season’s first three games.”"
Trainers and McAdoo will also have to make adjustments without Vereen. In yesterday’s game against the Redskins, the Giants opted to rely on the passing game using the no-huddle offense to quickly enter the Redskins territory. Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard and Victor Cruz will have to pick up the slack. They had a combined yardage of over 100 yards. The three wide receivers failed most noticeably to complete catches in the redone late in the game.
To correct this, the Giants will have to think creatively. One approach is to look for more plays involving the tight end and running game in the red zone, which was not used.
As much of a wall the Redskins defense was in the final minutes of the 3rd and 4th quarter, the Giants must find a way to have a few tricks up their sleeves.
If Jay Gruden can turn a 4th and short late in the game into a trick play for a first down and even a touchdown, then the Giants should find ways to avoid falling into bad habits. Fumbling the ball. Throwing the ball into a crowded secondary. Interceptions.
If the Giants can stem the hemmoraging caused by the injury to Vereen, their playoff chances remain.