Giants release running back after comments about playing time

Jul 30, 2026; White Sulphur Springs, WV, USA; A New York Giants helmet sits on a table after practice during training camp at The Greenbrier Resort Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

The New York Giants haven’t had the prettiest start to the season and are still sitting at 3-2-1 heading into Week 7 in John Harbaugh’s first season with the franchise, good for first place in what’s been an abysmal NFC East to start the season.

The Giants, who are widely expected to start their third quarterback of the season, J.J. McCarthy, on Sunday, have also had a revolving door at running back. After their Week 6 loss to the New Orleans Saints, Najee Harris boldly voiced his frustrations with his lack of playing time.

“It’s hard to get in a rhythm with one or two plays,” Harris said on Sunday. “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.”

Harbaugh addressed the comments in his Monday press conference.

“I do understand it, respect it. Also understand that that’s earned. I would love for us to be in that kind of a circumstance, a Derrick Henry circumstance or the Saquon Barkley circumstance … that would be great,” Harbaugh responded, via Greg Johnson.

“Our run game hasn’t earned that yet. None of those guys have. My advice would be, to any player … ‘Do the most you can with the opportunities you get.

“Make the most of those opportunities, and you’re sure to get more opportunities. Do something.’ “I get it that you want to get out there, and you want to get in a rhythm, but that rhythm is earned, too, and it just hasn’t happened yet. Definitely want it to happen. A couple weeks ago we kind of went that direction, and the running game was no different than it was this last game.

“My advice is, ‘Go out there and take the job when you get the ball. Take the job.’ That would be true, I think good advice, for all of us at all times in every circumstance, and I know he understands that.”

As much as Harbaugh might respect Harris’ stance, it seems he ultimately may have felt that it wasn’t something he’s looking to deal with as he tries to stablize what has been a turbulent start to the season.

“Source: The #Giants are releasing RB Najee Harris, another RB shakeup,” ESPN’s Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday morning.

Source: The #Giants are releasing RB Najee Harris, another RB shakeup. https://t.co/N9C5GIIpeh

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 20, 2026

Harris’s former teammate, Cam Skattebo, is now likely to see his workload increase again, after not receiving a single carry against the Saints. It’ll be interesting to see if he can make the most of the opportunity.

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Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.