The New York Giants earned their first win of the 2023 season in grand fashion Sunday. In the biggest comeback in team history, the Giants erased a a 21-point deficit to top the Arizona Cardinals, 31-28.
The win, however, came at a cost. Running back Saquon Barkley exited the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury, and according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the two-time Pro Bowler is expected to miss three weeks after being diagnosed with an ankle sprain.
Here are five running backs Big Blue could turn to in Barkley's absence:
Breida, 28, is the most obvious plug-and-play option for the Giants and the favorite to dominate New York's backfield in touches with Barkley sidelined. Head coach Brian Daboll backed the veteran running back after the win in Arizona, praising his work ethic and knowledge of the system.
Daboll said Matt Breida is prepared every week and knows the system. They've been together a few years now.
— Dan Salomone (@Dan_Salomone) September 18, 2023
Over the past three-plus years, Breida has been sparingly used on offense, never eclipsing 59 carries. However, his production during his 2017-2019 run in San Francisco was impressive (381 carries, 1,902 yards, five yards per carry.)
Gray is a shifty fifth-round rookie out of Oklahoma who showcased his wheels on a 14-yard punt return against the Cardinals. He'll need to improve in pass protection to earn meaningful snaps. For now, expect him to serve in a change-of-pace role.
Robinson is a former 1,000-yard rusher with the Jacksonville Jaguars who spent the summer with the Giants. Despite failing to make New York's 53-man roster, Robinson led all Giants running backs with 74 rushing yards in the preseason.
The Giants cut James Robinson…
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) August 27, 2023
After this?!?pic.twitter.com/nEuO0i6T8u
The 25-year-old hasn't been the same player since suffering a torn Achilles in 2021. Still, he's a back who knows the system and could presents upside the further removed he gets from his career-altering injury.
While you could make a case that free agents Leonard Fournette and Kareem Hunt are better short-term solutions, Akers presents long-term appeal the other two don't.
With Barkley playing on a one-year franchise tag and once again hobbled by injury, trading for the cheaper and younger (24) Akers could be the catalyst for a much more drastic shift in New York's backfield come the offseason.
Sources: The #Rams have had trade talks centered around RB Cam Akers. The starter in Week 1 was inactive for Week 2 after a difficult week of practice. Kyren Williams is now the starter, and Akers’ spot is up in the air. pic.twitter.com/Mf582EMmeg
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 18, 2023
Akers was horrendous in his lone showing this season, averaging 1.3 YPC on 22 attempts. However, he ranked second in the NFL with 410 rushing yards over the final three weeks of the 2022 season, averaging 5.5 YPC.
On Monday, the Cowboys released Jones after serving a two-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. As a vested veteran, Jones is not subject to waivers, making him eligible to sign with a team immediately.
: The #Cowboys are releasing veteran RB Ronald Jones.
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 18, 2023
He just finished a two game suspension. Serviceable runningback on the market. pic.twitter.com/flFAr6jkWi
The two-time Super Bowl champion was an afterthought in the Kansas City Chiefs backfield last season. Yet, Jones totaled 2,130 rushing yards as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2019-2021. His 978 yards rushing in 2020 ranked 12th in the NFL.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!