A season ago, it looked like the New York Giants had a dangerous two-headed monster in Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr., but it was Tracy who stepped up when Skatt went down. But now that our favorite headbanger is back, this is looking like less of a committee now that a true alpha has emerged.
To say it hasn’t been the ideal summer for Tracy would be an understatement. His fumble issues have lingered, and he’s struggled in pass protection. The Najee Harris signing only added another RB to the pecking order, and Tracy has since emerged as a potential cut candidate.
With his roster hopes on the line, the third-year back desperately needed to come through in New York's preseason finale, and thankfully (for his sake), he did just that. In the 23-6 victory over the New York Jets on Friday night, Tracy Jr. was far and away the most efficient Giants RB to take the field.
The Giants might have a place for Tyrone Tracy on the roster after all
While Big Blue opted to start Harris over the 26-year-old, they split work, and it was clear which back looked better. Tracy carried the ball four times for 37 yards and a touchdown before exiting due to a neck injury after getting hit hard. And while he didn’t return, the injury isn’t believed to be serious.
Had he struggled, it would’ve been much easier for John Harbaugh and this new coaching staff to pull the rip cord on him as a surprise release and roll with Skattebo, Harris, and Singletary as the three backs on the Week 1 roster. But an already-difficult conversation is getting even more complicated.
Frankly, the Giants should keep Tracy on the Week 1 roster. As far as skill set goes, he’s the most unique of the group in what he offers the Giants’ offense. Najee Harris, Cam Skattebo, and Devin Singletary are all bigger, more bruising backs, while the 2024 fifth-round pick is quick and elusive.
As a former wide receiver, it could be argued that the Purdue product would be the most beneficial to Jaxson Dart as a check-down weapon. I think we forget that this guy was the first Giants running back since Saquon Barkley to record 1,000 scrimmage yards in the first two seasons of his NFL career.
For all of his faults, Tyrone Tracy has given the G-Men a reason to allow him to stick around with a last-ditch effort to save his roster spot, and his push came at the perfect time. But it remains to be seen if it’s actually enough to matter when the rumor mill is at its most intense.
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