The New York Giants announced the release of running back Najee Harris on Tuesday, just 48 hours after the former first‑round pick publicly questioned the coaching staff’s running game plan. Harris, who was signed as a training‑camp pickup after the team’s earlier struggles at the position, started Sunday’s game following a fumble by Cam Skattebo, who saw limited action.
Performance and criticism
In his lone start, Harris recorded four carries for two yards, bringing his season total to 99 rushing yards on 31 attempts (3.2 yards per carry). After the game, Harris told the New York Daily News that it was difficult for him and the other backs to find a rhythm. “I don’t think nobody can,” he said. “It’s not about the coaching staff. It’s just personal, running backs, quarterbacks. It’s hard to get in a rhythm with one or two plays.”
Giants’ backfield woes
The Giants have been rotating three running backs—Harris, Tyrone Tracy, and Devin Singletary—without establishing a clear lead. Their top two rushers this season have been quarterback J.J. McCarthy (26 yards) and wide receiver Darnell Mooney (20 yards). As head coach Brian Daboll’s staff noted after the loss, “Nobody’s really taken the bull by the horns.” The team’s rushing average sits at 3.4 yards per carry, with Skattebo’s limited usage yielding 3.6 yards per carry.
Harris entered the league as a first‑round selection out of Alabama, spending four productive seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers before a brief stint with the Los Angeles Chargers that was derailed by injuries. His early career featured three consecutive 1,000‑yard seasons, a stark contrast to his current production.
Next steps for New York
With Harris gone, the Giants will look to other backs to fill the void as they prepare for a road game against the Houston Texans before their Week 8 bye. The move underscores the organization’s urgency to stabilize the running game and avoid further disruptions caused by public criticism.
While the release may please fans seeking accountability, it also raises questions about depth at the position and the coaching staff’s ability to adapt the offensive scheme. The Giants’ front office has not indicated any immediate plans to sign a replacement, leaving the backfield rotation to be determined by internal competition.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
