The New York Giants are parting ways with veteran running back Najee Harris, ending his brief tenure with the franchise just days after he publicly voiced displeasure over how the team distributed carries, NFL Network first reported Tuesday.
A team source confirmed the move Tuesday morning, according to SB Nation. The roster move trims a crowded backfield rotation that had struggled to produce consistent gains through the early part of the season.
Frustration boiled over following Sunday’s loss
The decision came after Harris made critical remarks following the Giants’ 34-27 defeat against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Harris started the contest but collected just two yards on four carries over 11 offensive snaps, while the backfield continued to operate as a four-man committee alongside Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary.
Harris spoke frankly to reporters about the rotation, calling it extremely frustrating to build momentum under those constraints.
“It’s hard to get in a rhythm with one or two plays,” Harris said, according to NBC Sports. “The first couple runs will be like, ‘OK, how are they playing it?’ And then the next ones will be, ‘OK, this is how you attack it.’ But if you’re getting a play here and then get taken out for a series, there’s nothing you could do. That’s why I’m saying, ‘I don’t know.’ I’ve never been through none of this before.”
During a video call with reporters on Monday, Giants head coach John Harbaugh addressed the running back’s remarks and acknowledged the backfield’s overall shortcomings. Harbaugh said he understood and respected Harris’ perspective, but stressed that expanded playing time must be earned on the field, Sports Illustrated reported.
Harbaugh pointed to premier backs around the league as examples of what the coaching staff hoped to see emerge from the roster.
“I would love for us to be in that kind of circumstance. A Derrick Henry circumstance, a Saquon Barkley circumstance, or whatever it might be,” Harbaugh said, according to Sports Illustrated. “That would be great, and we haven’t. Our run game hasn’t earned that yet, and none of those guys have.”
Harbaugh urged the remaining players in the room to seize control of the lead role, telling reporters, “My advice is to go out there and take the job when you get the ball. Take the job.”
A difficult return following an Achilles injury
Harris, 28, joined the Giants in August on a one-year, $1.215 million contract, NBC Sports reported. He had been working his way back from a torn Achilles tendon suffered three games into the 2025 season while playing for the Los Angeles Chargers, an injury that followed an offseason fireworks accident.
Selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Harris posted four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, that production did not materialize in New York.
Over five appearances with the Giants, including one start, Harris carried the ball 31 times for 99 yards. That translated to a career-low average of 3.2 yards per attempt. He also recorded a career low of 2.61 yards after contact per carry and caught one pass for five yards, according to Sports Illustrated.
NBC Sports noted that reporting the move as the Giants “are releasing” Harris could give the team an opportunity to see if another franchise might trade for his contract before the transaction becomes official.
What lies ahead for New York’s ground game
With Harris no longer in the fold, the Giants will rely on a backfield trio featuring Skattebo, Tracy and Singletary. As a group, the team’s running backs had been averaging 3.8 yards per carry, Giants Wire reported.
The Giants have not yet announced a corresponding transaction to fill the open spot on their 53-man active roster.
