Per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Najee Harris will play against the Jets, making this his first game since tearing his Achilles in Week 3 of 2025. Harris has created a buzz, sending fellow running backs Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary in a battle to not get cut.

As for Cam Skattebo, he is starting fights with fellow teammates. Meanwhile, Harris is impressing and looking the part. Hence, he could be very relevant once the season starts if his health and form allow it.

Najee Harris could make a definitive statement vs Jets

Harris recently took first-team snaps and is listed as the co-No.2 RB on the depth chart behind Skattebo. While he will not play the full game, it will allow Harris to get the feeling back. Harris is a very talented player, but he is coming off a serious injury.

Harris has by far the best resume of the four running backs. He was a blue-chip prospect coming out of Alabama, and cracked the 1,000-yard threshold in his four years with the Steelers.

What will Harbaugh do?

John Harbaugh has a lot of questions that need to be answered right now. First, what will Najee Harris’ actual role be? Second, which RB, if any, will be cut from the 53-man roster? Thirdly, will Harris have a committee role or just a pass-blocking back? The head coach has a lot of things to figure out.

According to Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com, Harris’ signing will cost one of Tracy or Singletary a spot on the roster as the 53-man cut comes close. “The presence of Najee Harris shakes things up in what now looks to be a crowded room…

“Tracy is in a weird position after very public mishaps in back-to-back preseason games (failed blitz pick-up, now a fumble), but whether those two instances will put him on the bubble or on the trade market remains to be seen. Singletary, a vested veteran, could stick on the practice squad if this becomes a numbers’ game,” Stapleton said.

Harris seems to leapfrog both Tracy and Singletary

Even after suffering an Achilles tear, it seems like Harris, who has four 1,000-yard seasons in five years (being the Achilles year the only one where he didn’t reach the treshold), has impressed the Giants enough to enter as the RB2 on the depth chart.

Tracy has the age and upside to his favor. However, Singletary is still more reliable as Tracy’s mistakes are very costly and notorious, while Singletary might not have any big-time feature, but he is good at all running back’s tasks.

Najee Harris could even challenge Cam Skattebo

It was reported that Cam Skattebo is still viewed as RB1 over Najee Harris. However, it was also stated Harris was brought to play a significant role. Also, Skattebo suffered a big injury last year, so did Harris.

Hence, a committee that keeps both backs fresh and complimenting each others could be a very good tactic to use. Both players rely on power, physical mass, and tenacity rather than elite speed or explosive open-field burst. Both excel at grinding out tough yards in short-distance and goal-line situations. Also, they are reliable and willing blockers in passing situations.

Tracy appeared on the Giants’ blowout win against the Dolphins in the preseason. Tracy actually had a decent game with three catches and six rushes for a total of 48 scrimmage yards. However, one key play could end up harming him.

As Jordan Raanan of ESPN pointed out, Tracy “ran well, good pass block, caught passes, tackle on kickoff but… the fumble.” During the Giants’ first preseason game, Tracy whiffed a block that ended in a hard sack against Jaxson Dart. That prompted the Giants to sign Najee Harris. Now, he fumbles.

Tracy’s big issue

The good things about Tracy are plenty. He is a good runner, he can catch passes, he is also a very good special teams addition. However, he always seems to have a key mistake in games.

First a whiffed tackle that sent the starting quarterback to the blue tent. Now, a fumble that cost the team a drive. Those mistakes are the ones that end up costing stock on the roster, and Harris is the one reaping the rewards.

Harris has much more ball security

Najee Harris has better ball security than Tyrone Tracy Jr. Over their respective careers, Harris has proven significantly being more careful with the football on a per-touch basis, whereas Tracy has struggled with a higher frequency of fumbles relative to his total touches.

Harris has logged very few fumbles (around five total) across heavy multi-year workloads as a bell-cow back, boasting stretches of hundreds of touches without a single fumble. Meanwhile, Tracy accumulated five fumbles as a rookie in 2024 alone, and while he improved in 2025, ball security and his recent preseason miscues have continued to be an area of concern for him.

Per Jordan Raanan of ESPN, “Harris looks pretty good physically having just signed and coming off a torn Achilles.” That is music to Giants’ ears as the first preseason game showed Tyrone Tracy letting a defender put a clean hit on Jaxson Dart that forced a blue tent visit, much to the QB’s puzzled expression.

He is physically imposing and a much better blocker, and Harris also gave an injury update to be aware of his status. Harris is arguably a very good running back, as he had four straight 1,000-yard seasons before suffering the ruptured Achilles. If he comes back near the top of his game, the Giants could actually have a very decent weapon altogether for this offense.

Where does Harris fit on the NY Giants RB depth chart?

If Harris is at his best, he could fight with Cam Skattebo to be the Giants’ best running back. After all, Skattebo is regarded as the top one on the depth chart, but all reports indicate a committee.

Skattebo could be the more explosive, powerful back, while Harris brings a more detailed, yet physical style with lots of flair and power. Skattebo looks like a train, while Harris is more calculated, yet still hard to bring down.

Najee Harris is a tough guy to bring down

Raanan stated how big and strong Harris looked. When looking at his numbers, it’s confirmation that Harris is, indeed, a huge back. Harris has more rushing yards after contact than before contact.

Also, he usually doesn’t let people through. Najee Harris is considered a solid and reliable pass blocker. Standing at 6-foot-1 and over 240 pounds, his large size, physical strength, and willingness to engage defenders make him an asset in max-protection and passing downs.

The Giants’ receiving corps is crowded, and releasing the veteran could help clear things up. However, the former Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots wide receiver is still practicing under John Harbaugh.

Moves in East Rutherford are happening on a daily basis, with the start of a new season getting closer. The head coach doesn’t want to leave anything to chance and wants to be as prepared as possible for the season opener.

Giants’ intriguing receiving corps

JuJu Smith-Schuster arrived in New York at the beginning of June, but his time in East Rutherford appears to be coming to an end. Players like Odell Beckham Jr., who have made the most of their opportunities, along with stars such as Malik Nabers, are making it difficult for John Harbaugh to find room for everyone.

Malik Nabers, Calvin Austin III, and Darius Slayton are listed as the top three options, while Malachi Fields, Braxton Berrios, and Darnell Mooney follow behind them. Further down the depth chart are OBJ, Jalin Hyatt, Dalen Cambre, Isaiah Hodgins, Ryan Miller, and Xavier Gipson.

Harris still needs to get up to speed

Harris arrives in New York with plenty of experience, but physically, he still needs to catch up with his teammates. During his press conference, John Harbaugh revealed that the running back is not yet at full strength.

“You know, he’s not back 100%. He’s not in football shape yet. So, if we are able to do something, it’ll be a process,” the head coach said. Once that moment arrives, New York’s backfield will be a force to be reckoned with for opposing defenses.

The backfield’s main centerpiece is Cam Skattebo, who is making a strong recovery from a serious injury. Behind him is Tyrone Tracy Jr., while Devin Singletary is currently the third option.

John Harbaugh also has Eric Gray and Damon Bankston as options if needed. Harris brings his experience to New York, on a team expected to be a contender starting in Week 1.

Harris’ last major injury

On September 21, 2025, Harris suffered a season-ending torn left Achilles tendon on a non-contact play during a Week 3 game against the Denver Broncos. The severe injury required surgery and sidelined him for the remainder of the 2025 season after appearing in just three games playing for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Now with the Giants, the former Alabama Crimson Tide player emerges as one of the team’s most accomplished running backs. If he stays healthy, he will undoubtedly be a great asset for Jaxson Dart.

Skattebo remains the first option

Cam Skattebo plans to improve a specific aspect of his game, which he said will be to “run through people instead of around them.” This warning to his opponents shows the level of optimism surrounding the RB heading into next season.

These words reflect the level of confidence Skattebo has in becoming one of Dart’s main weapons starting in Week 1. Avoiding injuries will be key, and from there, the Giants’ offense could impose its will against any opponent.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Harris visited the Giants. Harris saw his career come down as he suffered a scary incident the last fourth of July where his eyesight was compromised, and also had a ruptured Achilles injury.

Now, Harris went from a prospect of an RB1 to a depth piece, but could still be useful as he is a tough blocker and a great back after initial contact. However, Harris would have to compete with plenty of backs on the Giants roster.

Harris has plenty of names to beat on the Giants roster

The Giants have Cam Skattebo, Devin Singletary, Tyrone Tracy, Eric Gray, Damon Bankston, and Turbo Miller on the roster. Now, Miller is injured, and Gray and Bankston are not on Harris’ level, on paper.

His main competition would be both Singletary and Tracy. Now, Harris is a much better blocker than Tracy, who made John Harbaugh rant on the play where Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart went to the blue tent. As for Singletary, he is a much more physical back, but Singletary is very reliable.

Harris’ career stats

Before suffering the Achilles tear and then the eye injury, Harris was as reliable as a running back could be. During his first four seasons, Harris didn’t miss a game and surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in every single season.

He is also a great pass-catcher and barring the 2022 season, he had more yards after contact that that yards before contact. Hence, he is very resilient. Now, it’s time to see if he can earn a role on the Giants.

Giants insider Dan Duggan of The Athletic mentioned the veteran running back as a potential addition for the G-Men if he is able to regain his physical form in the short term.

“This is a sneaky position to watch for an addition before the opener. Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy are fine, but we know the Giants were open to upgrading to a premier back (Jeremiyah Love). There aren’t any of those available now, but I could see a vet signing (Najee Harris once healthy?) or a trade,” Duggan wrote on X.

In his latest stint with the Los Angeles Chargers, Harris missed almost the entire season with the Bolts due to a severe injury suffered in Week 3. Could he join a contender like the Giants ahead of what’s to come?

Dart’s ground options in NY

Heading into the 2026 NFL season, sophomore quarterback Jaxson Dart will feature a potent backfield tandem to anchor the team’s ground attack. Leading the group as RB1 is Cam Skattebo, returning fully healthy to bring a physical, hard-nosed running style that fits seamlessly into Greg Roman’s new power-run scheme.

Complementing Skattebo as the primary secondary weapon is Tyrone Tracy Jr., whose versatility and agility provide a dynamic change of pace to keep opposing defenses off balance and alleviate pressure on Dart throughout the campaign.

• Cam Skattebo
• Tyron Tracy Jr.
• Devin Singletary
• Eric Gray
• Dante Miller
• Damon Bankston

Can Harris regain his form?

During the Chargers’ Week 3 win over the Denver Broncos in 2025, Najee Harris suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon on a non-contact play during the second quarter. After planting his leg in the backfield, Harris collapsed to the turf and was carted off to the locker room, abruptly ending his first year in Los Angeles after signing a one-year deal with the franchise.

Prior to his injury, Harris was one of the most durable running backs in the NFL, never missing a game during his four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

According to Ian Rapoport, Harris is meeting with the Raiders next Thursday. Harris played for the Los Angeles Chargers last season, though his season was cut short after suffering an Achilles tear just three games into the year.

Prior to that, Harris surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in all of his four first years in the NFL. However, his stock plummeted and after this injury, he is not seen as an RB1. However, he could be a perfect RB2 below Ashton Jeanty.

Jeanty had an underwhelming rookie season… though it wasn’t his fault

Jeanty had a historic college career. However, he had 975 yards and five touchdowns on 3.7 yards per attempt. While underwhelming, he had no help whatsoever. Not in the playcalling, not in the offensive line, he was trying to make ends meet all by himself.

Jeanty is a speedy, powerful runner. Meanwhile, Harris is strong-yet-shifty, with much more calculus than raw speed. Kubiak said a month ago, “We definitely want a two-man show [at RB]… it’s a long season.” Jeanty and Harris could be a deadly duo.

It could also be great for Harris

Najee is recovering from an Achilles, he can’t be a workhorse anymore. Having Jeanty as a teammate will allow him to shine but not overwork in his return. Kubiak is also a great playcaller who will put him in the right spots and situations.

This offseason, the Seahawks decided not to offer Walker III a new contract, prompting him to sign a three-year, $43 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs and join Patrick Mahomes’ offense.

Zach Charbonnet now appears as the RB1 in the depth chart. Nevertheless, it seems like the Seahawks want to add more depth, with Najee Harris visiting the team on Wednesday.

Najee Harris may have a larger role in Seattle than in Las Vegas

Najee Harris entered the NFL as the 24th overall pick in 2021. He had an immediate impact with the Pittsburgh Steelers, securing over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first four seasons.

Following his time in Pittsburgh, Harris signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers for the 2025 season. Unfortunately, his campaign was cut short in Week 3 by a torn Achilles. Now a free agent, his best opportunity to return to a high-volume role may be with the Seahawks.

Seattle features a solid offensive line that helped Walker III thrive in 2025. If Harris joins the Seahawks, he would likely lead a committee alongside Zach Charbonnet (who is recovering from a February ACL surgery).

In contrast, joining the Raiders, who Harris will visit next week, would likely see him in a clear “wingman” role behind 2025 first-round standout Ashton Jeanty, who led the league in broken tackles as a rookie.

Veteran leadership, star power and locker-room identity all hang in the balance. Several cornerstone players are nearing the end of their deals, turning long-term planning into an urgent front-office exercise.

What comes next could redefine the team’s direction. Decisions made in the months ahead may signal whether L.A. is doubling down on its core or preparing for a new NFL competitive cycle.

Los Angeles Chargers free agents in 2026

Los Angeles enters the 2026 offseason with a long list of players eligible to hit the open market, and positioning for the future looms large in every front-office discussion. Several notable names — including running back Najee Harris, receiver Keenan Allen and edge rusher Khalil Mack — are listed among the unrestricted free agents who could test free agency this March.

Contract expirations are a natural pressure point in the NFL calendar, especially for teams trying to stay competitive year over year. As deals run out, the team must weigh continuity against flexibility, balancing performance, age and financial impact within a tightly managed salary cap.

For the franchise, these moments often define more than a single season. Allowing contracts to expire can open space for reinvention, while renewals can signal commitment to a specific core. Either path carries consequences that extend well beyond the offseason.