New York Giants Release Running Back Najee Harris After Lackluster Performance

The New York Giants are continuing their search for a reliable feature back, but they’ve decided on who it won’t be. Najee Harris, who joined the team during training camp, has been released following a disappointing game where he managed only four carries for two yards.

Harris started in the game due to Cam Skattebo being benched after a costly fumble the previous week. Despite this chance, Harris, along with fellow running backs Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary, struggled. The team’s leading rushers were quarterback JJ McCarthy with 26 yards and wide receiver Darnell Mooney with 20.

“Nobody’s really taken the bull by the horns,” remarked John Harbaugh after the Giants’ latest loss.

Harris expressed frustration over the inability to establish a rhythm in the run game, stating, “It’s hard to get in a rhythm with one or two plays.” He emphasized the difficulty in adjusting his strategy in such limited opportunities.

In his short tenure this season, Harris had 99 rushing yards on 31 carries, averaging 3.2 yards per carry—significantly lower than his previous achievements in the NFL. Harris was previously a first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he posted four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons before dealing with injuries during his time with the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Giants’ running game has been subpar, with an average of just 3.4 yards per carry. Cam Skattebo leads the team, albeit slightly, averaging 3.6 yards per carry. His standout performance was in the opening game against the Dallas Cowboys, where he gained 81 yards, which remains his highest output this season.

Moving forward, the Giants aim to find a stronger player to take the lead in their running game as they prepare to face the Houston Texans before their scheduled bye week.