Giants release running back Najee Harris two days after he criticized his role

Aerial view of the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, home of the Giants, taken from a plane in August 2018 — ZappaOMati / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Summary

Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, that the Giants are releasing running back Najee Harris.
Harris said after Sunday's loss to the Saints that it was hard to find a rhythm with one or two plays.
Coach John Harbaugh said Monday that playing time has to be earned and the run game had not earned it yet.
Contract terms, waiver status and an official team statement were not included in the reports reviewed.

What happened

The New York Giants are releasing running back Najee Harris, according to a report from NFL insider Ian Rapoport on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. The move comes less than 48 hours after a 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints, according to Athlon Sports. The reports reviewed did not include an official statement from the team.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Harris signed with the Giants in August. He appeared in five games this season and carried 31 times for 99 yards, an average of 3.2 yards per attempt, according to Athlon Sports and CBS Sports. He was still working back from a torn Achilles tendon suffered last season when the Giants signed him, Athlon reported.^{[1] [2]}

The comments and the response

Harris started against the Saints in place of Cam Skattebo but had four carries for two yards, CBS Sports reported. Afterward he criticized how running backs were being used. "It's hard to get in a rhythm with one or two plays," he said, according to CBS Sports. He also said he had never been through a situation like it, and that a back pulled after a single play has little he can do, as reported by Athlon Sports and The Comeback.^{[1] [2] [3]}

At his Monday press conference, Giants coach John Harbaugh said he understood and respected Harris's frustration, but that playing time must be earned. He said the run game "hasn't earned that yet," and told all the running backs and receivers to make the most of their opportunities, according to CBS Sports and Athlon Sports. Harbaugh is in his first season with the Giants, The Comeback noted.^{[1] [2] [3]}

The backfield now

Against the Saints, quarterback J.J. McCarthy led the team with 26 rushing yards on two carries, CBS Sports reported. Tyrone Tracy Jr. had six carries for 18 yards and a touchdown, and Devin Singletary had four carries for 14 yards. Skattebo, the team's leading rusher this season with 294 yards on 81 carries, had no carries and played six snaps after losing a fumble in overtime of the Week 5 tie with Washington, according to CBS Sports.^[1]

Skattebo is expected to see more work now, The Comeback reported. With Harris gone, the Giants' active roster has three running backs (Skattebo, Tracy and Singletary) plus fullback Patrick Ricard, and no running backs on the practice squad, according to Athlon Sports.^{[2] [3]}

What comes next

The Giants are 3-2-1 and lead the NFC East, according to CBS Sports. They host the Houston Texans in Week 7, and CBS Sports said Skattebo could return to a larger role in that game. CBS also said the team is likely to add another running back soon. Athlon suggested a fourth back, ideally one who contributes on special teams, could be added during the Week 8 bye so he is ready for the Eagles in Week 9.^{[1] [2]}

None of the reports reviewed addressed Harris's contract, the financial terms of the release, or whether he will go through waivers. Those details are not yet confirmed.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Reporting sources

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