What is going on with New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy?
The New York Giants entered training camp with a pretty clear pecking order in their backfield. Cam Skattebo was the lead back, Tyrone Tracy was the No. 2 and Devin Singletary was the depth piece.
There was so much momentum behind Tracy, though, that some felt he could actually push Skattebo to get his starting job back. Remember: Tracy began 2025 as the featured back before quickly being usurped by Skattebo.
That momentum appears to be going in the opposite direction.
Not only did the Giants sign Najee Harris in free agency with the intent of turning him into a significant contributor, but Tracy has also had a hellish preseason thus far.
In the preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings, he missed a pass block that caused Jaxson Dart to get walloped. Then, versus the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Tracy ended a nice drive — including a couple of impressive scampers by his own self — with a fumble, an issue that the former fifth-round pick has had in the past.
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy. Credit: USA TODAY Network.The fact that Skattebo did not play against the Dolphins is a clear indication that he is the unquestioned No. 1 back. That Tracy was on the field spoke volumes.
Harris did not suit up against Miami, as the veteran is still working his way back from a torn Achilles he suffered last year. But he did play in the Giants' joint practice scrimmage against the Dolphins earlier in the week, and he made an impact.
It's not like Harris is a dart throw, either. This is a former Pro Bowler who posted four straight 1,000-yard campaigns with the Pittsburgh Steelers between 2021 and 2024 while also displaying impressive pass-catching acumen.
Yes, the 28-year-old averaged just 3.9 yards per carry in the process, but New York will not be using Harris as an every-down back. He will instead be utilized in short-yardage or goal-line situations ... or possibly as a primary backup if Tracy doesn't get his act together.
Do I think Tracy is in serious danger of losing his job? Not yet, because we still don't know what to expect from Harris after being out of commission for almost a year. But I do think that John Harbaugh — who is known for favoring bruising backs — is seriously weighing the potential of Harris supplanting Tracy on the depth chart.
The key for the Giants this season is to make life as easy as possible for Dart in his sophomore campaign, and if Harbaugh feels Tracy can't do that, then the 26-year-old will end up riding the bench more often than anyone initially anticipated.
