New York Giants: Shane Vereen Activated Off Injured Reserve
New York Giants running back Shane Vereen was placed on injured reserve after tearing his triceps in Week 3. Just 11 weeks later, he’s been activated.
The New York Giants have been without standout running back Shane Vereen since Week 3. The 27-year-old was poised to play a big role for the Giants in 2016, but after tearing his triceps, he was placed on injured reserve.
Though he was expected to miss the entire season, Vereen himself has confirmed that he will be returning to action.
Vereen returned to practice in late November, but doubt remained pertaining to his availability for the actual games. With 21 days remaining until Vereen would be locked into the injured reserve, the Giants activated him for Sunday’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
In a passionate post to his official Instagram account, Vereen announced that his season-ending injury didn’t end his season after all.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BN2QdtvAvaN/?taken-by=shaner34
This is one of the best developments imaginable for the Giants.
Vereen may not receive many or any snaps against the Cowboys, but he will be available for the Giants to utilize. That alone is reason to be excited, as his mere presence on the field adds a new element to New York’s stagnant offense.
According to Jordan Raanan of ESPN, Vereen is excited to help the Giants to put more points on the board.
"“Hopefully points,” he said recently about what he can bring to the offense. “I think that is going to help us down the line; consistency and points and being able to keep this thing going.“I know offensively, being in all the meetings, we are definitely not where we want to be. But December is the most important time of the year, most important time of the season, and hopefully I can contribute.”"
In just three appearances in 2016, Vereen has already accounted for one touchdown and 222 yards from scrimmage—an average of 74 yards per game.
74 yards from scrimmage per game may not be a Marshall Faulk type of number, but it’d be invaluable to the Giants. New York currently ranks No. 26 in total yards per game, No. 16 in passing yards per game, and No. 31 in rushing yards per game.
By adding a versatile threat like Vereen back into the mix, the Giants’ offensive efficiency should improve—specifically the 23rd-ranked average of just 20.4 points per game.
There’s no telling what type of game rust Vereen will have to shake off, but he has a defined role that he can fill when healthy. He’s an excellent pass catcher out of the backfield and he’s made progress in his consistency when running between the tackles.
Rashad Jennings and Paul Perkins need all the help they can get at running back, and Eli Manning would undoubtedly benefit from having a safety net like Vereen back on the field.
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From injury reserve to healthy again, Vereen has completed an incredible comeback in 2016.