Assuming that Cam Skattebo was fully recovered from last year’s gruesome leg injury, the offseason expectation was that the New York Giants would run a two-back system between Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Skattebo is certainly still expected to factor into the Giants’ offense, and Jaxson Dart should have plenty of designed runs. Tracy’s fit has become far less certain, at least externally, after he failed to keep Dart from getting hit against the Minnesota Vikings last Saturday.
Najee Harris’ recent arrival has only raised questions about the Giants’ plans for Tracy, and ESPN reported that the ex-Steelers starter is already participating in live drills. Considering that he’s coming off a torn Achilles tendon and only joined the Giants on Monday, what he’s managed to do in less than 72 hours is remarkable.
Forget a quarterback controversy — are we really about to have an unexpected running back battle?
Where does Najee Harris fit into the New York Giants’ plans?
The Giants’ running back situation is fascinating because, as argued elsewhere, Tracy shouldn’t be the one on the roster bubble. Devin Singletary restructured his contract this past offseason and played only four snaps against the Vikings. With respect to Singletary, he turns 29 in September and is better off with a team that could work him into the starting offense.
We obviously yet haven’t seen Harris in a game, and it’s too early to know whether he’ll suit up against the Jets next weekend. There is no reason for John Harbaugh and the Giants not to play Harris, though, if they believe he’ll warrant a place on the 53-man roster. Why else sign Harris just days after Tracy’s botched block?
Harbaugh made it clear after the game that he was unhappy with Tracy’s miscue, which resulted in Dart getting evaluated for another concussion. Luckily for the Giants, the second-year quarterback passed the test, returned to the game, and threw a touchdown to Malachi Fields.
Alternatively, the Giants could always try to stash Harris on the practice squad. The downside is using that spot on a veteran coming off a career-threatening injury rather than on a younger, developmental player. But if you’re placing an older running back on the practice squad, then would you rather have the 28-year-old Harris or the soon-to-be-29 Singletary? Or do you prefer to look elsewhere?
Recency bias favors Harris, and social media shows plenty of fans willing to see anyone but Tracy as the 1B running back. The fact that the Giants went out of their way to add Harris rather than wait and see who becomes available after final cuts is troubling, at least for those who bought high on Tracy.
Between running backs and receivers, we might not be done seeing additional changes on the Giants’ offense. At least Skattebo doesn’t need to worry about his job security.
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