The New York Giants are actively seeking a solution for their running back woes. While the team is not certain who will step up, they have determined who will not. Najee Harris was released by the Giants two days after giving critical remarks about the coaching strategy, which followed his performance of four carries for only two yards.
Najee Harris, who was picked up during training camp due to Tyrone Tracy’s struggles, became the starter when Cam Skattebo, who had repeated fumbling issues, was benched. During the previous week’s game, Skattebo played a mere six snaps without any ball-action. The Giants utilized a running-back rotation involving Harris, Tracy, and Devin Singletary. Despite this rotation, the leading rushers were quarterback JJ McCarthy with 26 yards and wide receiver Darnell Mooney with 20 yards, highlighting ongoing inefficiencies.
John Harbaugh expressed after the game’s loss, “Nobody’s really taken the bull by the horns.” Harris commented on the rhythm challenges faced by him and the other backs, stating the difficulty in gaining momentum with limited opportunities, as reported by the New York Daily News.
Harris shared his thoughts, “I don’t think nobody can. This isn’t a critique of the coaching staff. It’s simply challenging for running backs and quarterbacks to find a rhythm with just one or two plays.” The infrequency of plays makes it hard to assess opponents’ tactics and adjust strategies effectively. Harris confessed, “I’ve never been through this before.”
With 99 rushing yards on 31 carries, averaging 3.2 yards per carry, Harris’s current statistics are starkly lower compared to his initial four NFL seasons, all surpassing 1,000 rushing yards. Originally drafted in the first round from Alabama, Harris was a key player for the Pittsburgh Steelers before moving to the Los Angeles Chargers, where injuries largely sidelined him.
This season, Giants running backs are averaging 3.4 yards per carry. Skattebo leads with 3.6 yards per carry, securing 294 rushing yards in total. His performances have varied significantly, acquiring 81 rushing yards against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1, followed by 36, 60, 58, and 59-yard games.
With Harris gone, the Giants look forward to their next challenge against the Houston Texans, hoping for improvement before their Week 8 break.