Tyrone Tracy Jr. has given the New York Giants coaching staff plenty to think about ahead of the 53-man roster deadline. The running back has made two costly mistakes during the preseason, but John Harbaugh’s latest comments suggest the Giants are not ready to overlook everything else Tracy has done.
Tracy’s first major mistake came against the Minnesota Vikings, when he missed a blocking assignment that resulted in quarterback Jaxson Dart taking a hard hit. In the following preseason game facing the Miami Dolphins, Tracy appeared to be putting together a strong performance before losing a crucial fumble in the red zone.
Those two plays have created legitimate questions about his roster status, particularly with a crowded running back room. However, Harbaugh emphasized that Tracy’s overall body of work remains much more positive than those two mistakes suggest.
John Harbaugh sends important message to Tyrone Tracy Jr.
John Harbaugh acknowledged that Tyrone Tracy’s mistakes cannot simply be ignored, especially because ball security and pass protection are critical responsibilities for a running back. At the same time, the Giants coach does not believe two negative plays should erase everything the RB has shown throughout his career.
“I don’t think you say: ‘Hey, a bad play or even two bad plays, nullify a whole career body of work.’ In the game, he played well. He had numerous good runs and catches. Pass protection pick ups were good, but, he had the one play (fumble). It’s the one thing you don’t want to have as a running back. In the last two games, he’s had two things that you don’t want to have.”
Harbaugh then explained that Tracy understands the importance of those mistakes perhaps better than anyone. “So, nobody feels worse about it than he does. I mean, he’s very conscientious and a very determined guy. It matters a lot to him. He’s beating himself up, but, the rest of the plays were all good. They were all pluses. So, you don’t hold it against him. At the same time, you understand how valuable and important those things are to your football team. He knows as well. It’s just a balancing act that way.”
Will Giants cut RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.?
John Harbaugh’s comments are particularly interesting because they appear to leave the door open for Tyrone Tracy to remain on the Giants’ final roster. Rather than suggesting that the two mistakes have dramatically changed his standing, the head coach stressed the importance of evaluating the entire body of work.
That could be good news for Tracy as he competes against Najee Harris, Devin Singletary and Cam Skattebo for roster spots. Four running backs might appear to be a luxury for the Giants, especially with so many other positions requiring roster space.
However, Tracy offers something that could make the decision easier: versatility on special teams. His ability to contribute beyond the running back position could increase his value when the coaching staff evaluates the final 53-man roster.
