The New York Giants saw their running back room step up in Week 7 to help the team pick up a 27-21 victory over the Houston Texans. After being called out after a Week 6 loss to the New Orleans Saints by head coach John Harbaugh, Cam Skattebo, Devin Singletary, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. all stepped up, picking up 180 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries. That was quite the response by the three running backs.
But now, that running back depth took a hit. Tracy left the Week 7 game with what was determined to be a hamstring injury. He was spotted celebrating with his fellow running backs after the game, so it didn't appear to be a major injury. However, Tracy is going to miss some time.
While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Giants general manager Joe Schoen revealed that Tracy is being placed on the injured reserve due to the hamstring injury. That means he will be sidelined for a minimum of four games. Schoen mentioned that he doesn't believe the injury is a season-ender.
With the Giants sitting in first place in the NFC East and the trade deadline approaching on Nov. 10, one has to imagine that Harbaugh will want to bring in reinforcements to help make a playoff push. There is one team that is selling their best players, and that is the Indianapolis Colts, who just so happen to have a star running back in Jonathan Taylor.
Colts begin fire sale after trading Quenton Nelson
One of the big names that was linked to a potential trade if the Colts opted to sell was offensive guard Quenton Nelson. A six-time All-Pro, he was going to be a sought-after target for teams, especially for those wanting to make the playoffs while also needing offensive line help. While the Giants offensive line has been solid, bringing in Nelson would have put them over the top.
However, the Giants and 30 other teams watched the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks acquire Nelson. And, all it took was a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-rounder. Talk about a steal for the Seahawks, who will be taking on the remainder of Nelson's contract before hitting free agency next March.
Given the price of the trade, it sends a message that any player on the Colts is truly available. That could include Taylor, who would fit the mold of the superstar running back Harbaugh would love to have in New York.
How feasible is a Giants trade for Jonathan Taylor?
Well, it truly is dependent on how aggressive interim general manager Ed Dodds and principal owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon want to be with this fire sale. Trading Nelson was a massive move, but moving Taylor is on a whole other level.
Taylor has established himself as one of the best running backs in the game, being the NFL's leading rusher in 2021 and leader in rushing touchdowns in 2021 and 2025. He is paid well, too, as he signed a two-year, $44 million contract extension back in August, with $39 million of that deal being guaranteed. So, what would it take to get Taylor?
Giants ESPN reporter Jordan Raanan reports that some around the league believe that Taylor could be had for a second-round pick "and possibly more." The Giants do hold their second round pick in 2027 and the following two years. What makes the 2027 second-rounder a tough pill to swallow is the fact that the Giants don't have their fifth or seventh round picks. So, it would be up to Harbaugh and Schoen to determine how much they want to surrender to make a splash.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday after the Nelson trade and said that it's his understanding that the Colts and Irsay-Gordon would prefer to keep Taylor. However, Schefter does bring up the possibility that the Colts are relaying this message as an effort to "drive up the price" in a trade.
There is still a lot of time left until the trade deadline, but by all indications, most players on the Colts could be had at the right price. We'll just have to see how serious they are about keeping or trading Taylor.
While the Giants running backs answered the call, they are shorthanded with Tracy out for the next month. Could that be enough for Harbaugh and Schoen to make a huge offer to the Colts to try and bring in a superstar at running back? We'll have to wait and see once we get closer to Nov. 10.
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