EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants' running back room got a bit more crowded this week with the signing of Najee Harris. He is a four-time 1,000-yard rusher looking to prove once again that he's a high-level back.
Harris took three days to get into live drills. He received three carries during joint practices Thursday with the Miami Dolphins.
But Harris isn't joining the Giants to be the fourth option behind Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary. He was brought in under the premise that he's going to be a significant contributor, even though a source told ESPN he signed a one-year minimum salary $1.215 million deal with no guaranteed money.
Harbaugh and the Giants seem ready to let it play out.
"I mean, football's competitive, the NFL's competitive, and we're building the strongest team we can," Harbaugh said. "And [Harris is] a really good football player. So that's it."
Skattebo has been the first running back up most days at practice this summer (including at Thursday's joint practice) and was the starter in the Giants' preseason opener Saturday even though he is coming off an open fracture of his right ankle. He ran well against the Minnesota Vikings, to the point Harbaugh said he looked like the pre-injury Skattebo of last season. Harbaugh conceded Skattebo is not "100% twitchy and explosive yet," but he's getting there and substantial progress has happened in training camp practices.
So, the second-year running back who scored seven total touchdowns in eight games during his rookie season remains the Giants' top option.
Tracy has also been a regular working with starting quarterback Jaxson Dart this summer. He was the first running back up at Tuesday's practice and remains part of the mix. His missed block that sent Dart to the blue medical tent Saturday left Harbaugh unhappy, but it hasn't eliminated him from the Giants' plans. It could, however, light a fire under the third-year back.
Tracy has two straight seasons with 1,000-plus yards from scrimmage in his first two professional seasons. His blocking also hasn't been a problem. Tracy's pass block win rate of 83.3% was comparable to Singletary (84.6%) last season and significantly better than Skattebo (66.7%).
RB Najee Harris said he's got a chip on his shoulder. He has "a lot to prove," more so this year than the past. Says everything he's accomplished in the past is in the past. pic.twitter.com/UuXgGR6VIe
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 18, 2026
The Giants' signing of Harris wasn't in direct response to Tracy's preseason gaffe. The team had been in contact with Harris' representative for months and the workout was scheduled last week, sources told ESPN.
Harbaugh prefers a deep and physical running back room, and Harris fits the mold at 6-foot-1 and 242 pounds.
"He's an experienced back. Anybody that's watched him play knows what type of a back he is," the Giants coach said. "He's a downhill runner, physical runner. I've played against him a lot. I have a good feel for who he is as a player.
"Everybody that's been around him, my brother [Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh], [senior offensive assistant Greg Roman], [former Pittsburgh Steelers coach] Mike Tomlin, love him as a teammate. So, excited for the possibilities."
This seems to be among the reasons Harris chose the Giants; he knows if he shows the form he had in Pittsburgh prior to tearing his Achilles, he'll jump up the depth chart. It's not out of the realm of possibilities that Harris is getting a significant number of carries several weeks into the 2026 season.
"I want opportunity. I think this is a good opportunity here," he said. "The style of play that they're heading toward is the style of play that aligns with me. Harbaugh coming from the AFC North, me playing against him a lot of times, I know the type of style of football he wants. ... I think that just coming here is a good opportunity, and I'm willing to just put my foot in there and help out in any way I can."
At this point, Singletary shouldn't be counted out. He is second to tight end Isaiah Likely in catches during live drills this summer on passes thrown from Dart. He also ran well in the preseason opener.
The four capable running backs make it hard to predict the Giants' backfield carries at this point. The unproven Eric Gray and Damon Bankston are also on the active roster.
Harbaugh isn't averse to keeping four running backs. The Baltimore Ravens had four on their Week 1 roster last season, and that was with Derrick Henry as their feature back.
Four backs could be necessary as injury protection for Skattebo, even though he "felt great" being out there in a game environment on Saturday. Skattebo said he didn't even think about the injury. But multiple executives have expressed to ESPN reservations about him remaining healthy long term considering his size and style of play. It was a contributing factor to the former Arizona State player being selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft despite being one of the most productive players in college football.
Now, at least, with the addition of Harris, the Giants have significant insurance for Skattebo and motivation for Tracy.