Giants Release Running Back Najee Harris
Harris made his first Giants start Sunday in a four-back rotation, and coach John Harbaugh said afterward that "somebody needs to step up and be the back."
Update, Oct. 20, 5:41 p.m. EDT: The Giants announced Harris' release at 4 p.m. Tuesday. This story, first published as a report of the move, has been updated with the team's announcement.
The Giants released running back Najee Harris on Tuesday. Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com reported the release Tuesday morning.
Harris made his first start for the Giants in Sunday's 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He ran four times for 2 yards and played 11 offensive snaps.
The Giants signed Harris on Aug. 18. He was inactive for the season opener and had 31 carries for 99 yards in five games with the Giants. His base salary this season was $1.215 million.
The Giants used four running backs against the Saints: Harris, Devin Singletary, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Cam Skattebo. "It's hard to get in a rhythm with one or two plays," Harris said after the game, Pro Football Talk reported.
"Somebody needs to step up and be the back," Harbaugh said in his postgame news conference. Asked Monday about Harris' frustration, Harbaugh said he understood and respected it but that a lead role has to be earned and that the run game had not earned it.
In the same announcement, the Giants released outside linebacker Jihad Ward and signed outside linebacker Trace Ford from the practice squad to the 53-man roster after Ford used all three of his practice squad elevations. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported Ward's release earlier Tuesday.
The Giants (3-2-1) play at the Houston Texans on Sunday.