Najee Harris Complained About His Carries on Sunday. The Giants Are Releasing Him on Tuesday.
Najee Harris stood at his locker on Sunday and said he could not find a rhythm in the New York Giants’ four-man running back rotation. On Tuesday, Ian Rapoport reported the Giants are releasing him.
Two days. That is the entire story, and anyone telling you the timing is a coincidence is not paying attention.
The release was first reported by Rapoport of NFL Network, citing sources, and matched by ESPN and the Associated Press. The Giants have not announced it. Their official transaction log still lists only Harris’ Aug. 18 free agent signing, so treat it as reported and pending. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported the team is also releasing outside linebacker Jihad Ward.
What Harris Actually Said
After New York’s 34-27 loss to the Saints on Oct. 18, Harris talked about the carry split. “It’s hard to get in a rhythm with one or two plays,” he said. “But if you’re getting a play here and then get taken out for a series, there’s nothing you could do.” He added: “I’ve never been through none of this before.”
He was not wrong about the usage. He also was not the back the complaint was really about. Rookie Cam Skattebo, the most productive runner on the roster, got zero carries against New Orleans.
John Harbaugh answered the whole backfield on Monday without naming anybody. “Our run game hasn’t earned that yet, and none of those guys have,” the first-year Giants coach said. “Make the most of those opportunities and you’re sure to get more opportunities. Do something.”
Twenty-four hours later, one of those guys was gone.
The Production Was Not There
Harris has 31 carries for 99 yards this season, a 3.2-yard average, no touchdowns, one catch for five yards and a lost fumble in Week 4. He played five games with one start. In the Saints loss he was on the field for 11 snaps and ran four times for two yards.
That is a long way from the player Pittsburgh drafted 24th overall in 2021, the first running back off the board that year. Harris ran for 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons and finished his Steelers run with 4,312 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. He is 28 years old.
Then came the Chargers. Harris signed a one-year, $9.5 million deal in Los Angeles in March 2025 and tore his Achilles in Week 3. He played three games, carried 15 times for 61 yards, and did not play again that season.
The Giants signed him on Aug. 18 of this year, during the preseason rather than in the March free agent wave, for one year and $1.215 million. Money is not the reason he is being let go.
What It Leaves Behind in New York
The Giants are 3-2-1 and playing at Houston next. Behind Harris on the 53-man roster: Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary, with Phil Mafah on the practice squad. No replacement has been announced.
The bigger mess is at quarterback. Jaxson Dart tore up his knee on the opening drive at the Rams on Sept. 21 and is out for the regular season. Jameis Winston took over. Then Minnesota traded J.J. McCarthy to New York on Sept. 28 for a 2027 fifth-round pick, and McCarthy relieved Winston against the Saints with 11:25 left and a 34-10 deficit, throwing for 243 yards in garbage time. Harbaugh said Monday he was “working through that now, honing in on a decision” and has not named a Week 7 starter.
Harris has said nothing since the report. Neither has Harbaugh or general manager Joe Schoen.
One note worth keeping: Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio floated the idea that “are releasing” language can be a way to generate trade calls before a cut becomes official. That is speculation, not reporting. But it is the only version of this where Harris lands somewhere with a defined role, and at 3.2 yards a carry on a $1.2 million deal, he is going to need one.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
