New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh is not treating the running back rotation as a set formula, but he left little doubt that Najee Harris is moving into the conversation.
Asked how the Giants decide among Harris, Devin Singletary, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and the rest of the room, Harbaugh said the weekly call is “probably based on what you feel like gives you the best chance.” Some of that is the game plan and the matchup. The other part, he said, is Harris.
“The other part of it’s probably the development of Najee as he’s been here more now and is in better game shape,” Harbaugh told reporters on Friday. “That’s probably part of it too.”
That is a meaningful note in a backfield that has already looked different from week to week. Harris was inactive
in one game. In another, all four backs were active. Singletary has also had a week built around his production.
Harbaugh did not announce a new lead back or promise Harris a set number of carries. He credited the group. Singletary, he said, “is Motor. He’s consistent.” Tracy “has done a good job. He’s been practicing really well. And when he’s gotten out there, he’s done a good job.”
“All those guys we’re happy with,” Harbaugh said. “We like them when they’re on the field.”
The specific reference to Harris stands out because of where he started. The veteran arrived mid-August and has had to catch up physically as well as in the plan. Harbaugh tying his place in the rotation to better game shape suggests the Giants see a path to a larger role if that progress holds and the matchup fits.
Nothing is locked in for Sunday against Arizona. Harbaugh’s standard remains the back, or backs, who give them the best chance. If Harris keeps closing the gap, that calculation may start to include him more often.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Why Najee Harris could become a bigger factor in Giants' run game
