EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants have signed free agent running back Najee Harris to a one-year deal, the team announced Tuesday.
Harris worked out for the Giants on Monday. Coach John Harbaugh liked what he saw and heard despite the veteran coming off a torn Achilles last year.
"He looked good in the workout," Harbaugh said Monday. "You know, he's not back 100%. He's not in football shape yet. So, if we are able to do something, it'll be a process.
"But that would be a guy that has got a lot of experience. He's a decorated vet. And with those guys, generally, you just have to kind of see where they're at when you get them. And sometimes it works out great. Sometimes it's just OK, and other times it doesn't work out. But based on the workout, I would say we feel like he's got a shot. We'll just have to see how it goes."
Harris knows he's not quite in game shape but said he's "ready to get back" following last year's season-ending injury.
"Am I fully in football shape? No, I just got my pads today," Harris said Tuesday. "There's a difference between getting in shape and in football shape because it's hard to replicate pads in the offseason other than just putting it on and going out there and work. So, can I go out there and run some plays? Of course I can. But am I where I want to be, like [where] Najee wants to be at? No, probably not.
"It's not going to take a long time. It doesn't take a long time for me to get in shape. I take that seriously. I'm committed to that."
The addition of Harris comes after the Giants waived running back Dante Miller with an injury designation. Miller hurt his groin in the preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings and is expected to miss time.
In a corresponding move, the Giants released veteran wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Harris joins a backfield that has Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. at the top of the depth chart. The Giants also have veteran Devin Singletary in the mix along with Eric Gray and undrafted rookie Damon Bankston.
While it might take Harris several weeks to get into football shape, he said he believes he'll have a chance to earn playing time in this group.
"I think this is a good opportunity here," Harris said. "I think the style of play that they're heading towards is the style of play that aligns with me. I know the type of style of football [Harbaugh] wants. I think that we align with each other with what type of football we want to play."
The Giants had been eyeing Harris for quite some time. They waited a month until he was healthy to bring him in for a workout and visit. The trip was actually scheduled last week before Miller's injury.
Harris, 28, played in just three games last season for the Los Angeles Chargers and Jim Harbaugh, John's brother. Harris rushed for 61 yards on just 15 carries prior to the injury.
Harris had rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of the previous four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. John Harbaugh, who coached the Baltimore Ravens for the previous 18 seasons, knows him well from their days in AFC North.
"Yeah, I felt like the hair on the back of my neck stood up when I saw him over there, you know? He's a big dude," John Harbaugh said.
"I have a lot to prove as somebody coming back from a torn Achilles," Harris said. "Really everything that I did in the past is in the past, and everything I do now is really what matters. I know there are going to be a lot of questions of how I'll come back looking, and I'm ready to answer all those.
Harris was a first-round pick (24th overall) in the 2021 NFL draft out of Alabama. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie.