The New York Giants just flat-out haven't been able to run the ball this season. Nothing they've tried has worked, so why not take a flier on Damon Bankston ... again?
At this point, it'll probably take a shake-up of sorts to get the Giants' running back room going. Head coach John Harbaugh has already begun experimenting on the fly by benching starter Cam Skattebo and kicking veteran Najee Harris to the curb. The club is desperately searching for backfield answers, and Bankston's recent release from the Green Bay Packers' practice squad presents an under-the-radar option.
Bankston, an undrafted free agent rookie, originally signed with New York in May. His familiarity with the organization, and perhaps more importantly, the offense, makes him an intriguing name to monitor. The 23-year-old also offers much-needed juice that Skattebo and veteran Devin Singletary sorely lack, similar to that of Tyrone Tracy Jr., whose usage remains limited.
Why the Giants should consider a Damon Bankston reunion
Green Bay signed defensive tackle Mazi Smith to their taxi squad and parted ways with Bankston in a corresponding move. Harris' unceremonious exit only compounds the Giants' disastrous rushing unit. Put two and two together, plus a pre-established connection, and a reunion makes sense for all parties involved.
Yes, Bankston was left off Big Blue's initial 53-man roster for 2026, but he made it all the way to the final cuts. The former New Mexico standout went through training camp with them and was a fan favorite during the offseason for his dual-threat playmaking. Why not bring him back in at almost no risk?
Virtually any statistic indicates that New York has one of the NFL's worst ground games. They rank near the bottom in several key categories, courtesy of Fantasy Points' data suite 2.0 ($):
- 20th in rushing success rate (45.6 percent)
- 24th in expected points added per designed rush (-0.184)
- 27th in explosive rush rate (7.6 percent)
In 2025, Bankston's lone collegiate campaign at New Mexico after transferring from Weber State was electric. He turned 114 carries into 635 yards and five touchdowns, averaging a strong 5.6 yards per attempt. His contributions as a pass-catcher were also notable, posting 31 receptions for 397 yards and three scores.
Damon Bankston is interesting, but far from a surefire solution
On the other hand, while Bankston is a low-risk target, the "less is more" argument can apply in this scenario. Harris publicly said it can be "hard to get in a rhythm" when you're constantly rotating backs — then the G-Men showed him the door. While the comments came with repercussions, the logic is more than fair and, frankly, still true.
In theory, a committee approach is sound for several reasons, especially for a team without a clear-cut bell cow like New York. It keeps everyone fresh and involved while deploying players in specific situations tailored to their strengths. The idea is difficult to execute in practice, though, and has done more harm than good for Harbaugh and Co.
Not to mention, if the front office is serious about bringing in another RB, they should realistically be aiming higher than Bankston. The Giants were reportedly "seriously looking" at established commodities like Kenneth Walker III, Travis Etienne and first-round rookie Jeremiyah Love ahead of free agency and this year's draft. Settling for an unheralded, unproven prospect feels like putting a band-aid on a bullet wound.
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