Retour
After losing to the New Orleans Saints 34-27 on Sunday, the New York Giants decided to somewhat clean house on Tuesday.
The Giants released former Pro Bowl running back Najee Harris on Tuesday, just two days after he got the start versus the Saints. He only carried the ball four times for two yards.
The Giants' running back core in general struggled majorly against the Saints, as four RBs totaled just 34 rushing yards in the game. The team's star running back Cam Skattebo didn't have a single carry as he's already fumbled the ball four times this season.
After the loss, Harris was critical of the Giants' run game plan. It may not be a coincidence that he got released two days later.
"It's hard to get into a rhythm with one or two runs," Harris said on Sunday, via ESPN. "The first couple runs you'll be like, 'O.K., how are they playing me?' And then the next ones will be like, 'This is how you attack it.' But if you're getting a play here and you get taken out for a series, there's nothing you can do. That's why I'm saying I don't know. I've never been through this before."
Coach John Harbaugh wasn't impressed by the running backs on Sunday, as he said this after the game:
"All those guys were taking equal reps in the first half. We were trying to see who could make something happen, who could get a hot hand and earn it. Nobody has really taken the bull by the horns," Harbaugh said. "One of those guys needs to step up. Somebody needs to step up and be the back. And none of those guys have done that yet. And when one of those guys steps up to be the back, then they'll be the back."
Releasing Harris was just the first step in trying to revamp the running back room.
Harris now will search for a new team to join. He was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he spent four seasons, then he landed with the Los Angeles Chargers. Harris only played in three games for the Chargers last season as he suffered a torn Achilles.