The New York Giants executed another major shakeup in their offensive backfield on Tuesday by releasing running back Najee Harris. The roster move arrived just two days after head coach John Harbaugh benched Cam Skattebo and positioned Harris to step into the starting role during the team’s 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Despite starting the game as the team’s primary running back, Harris struggled to find any traction on the field, managing just four carries for two yards against the Saints. Following the defeat, Harris voiced frustration to reporters regarding his utilization, arguing that he required a higher volume of repetitions to establish a rhythm during a contest.
“It’s hard to get into a rhythm with one or two plays…if you’re getting a play here and then get taken out for a series, there’s nothing you could do. I’ve never been through none of this before,” Harris told reporters. His complaints came despite a prior stretch of difficult efficiency that featured 91 rushing yards on 31 carries, averaging 3.2 yards per carry.
Harbaugh had expressed clear dissatisfaction with the overall performance of the running back room following Sunday’s loss. The head coach explicitly stated that he dislikes dividing carries among multiple players when a clear leader fails to emerge from the group.
“Nobody has really taken the bull by the horns,” Harbaugh explained after the game.
Harris had originally signed with the Giants shortly before the start of the regular season, a move prompted by a severe hit taken by quarterback Jaxson Dart following a missed pass block by running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. Throughout his brief tenure in New York, Harris produced limited impact for the offense.
With Harris now removed from the roster, the Giants backfield is left with Skattebo, Tracy Jr., and Devin Singletary. Tracy Jr. showed notable improvement during Sunday’s matchup, particularly in pass blocking, while finishing the game with 45 total yards and two touchdowns across eight touches.
Following the swift dismissal of Harris, the Giants are expected to explore options to add depth to the running back position during the week. Meanwhile, coaching decisions point toward re-integrating Skattebo into the offensive rotation while potentially expanding Tracy Jr.’s responsibilities in passing situations.
