Giants release running back Najee Harris after five games
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The gist
The New York Giants are releasing running back Najee Harris, NFL Network reported, after 31 carries for 99 yards in five games.
The move thins a backfield averaging 3.8 yards per carry and leaves Harris free to sign elsewhere.
Background
Najee Harris is a 28-year-old NFL running back who was a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021 and topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of his four seasons there. He signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025 but appeared in only three games before tearing his Achilles tendon, then joined the Giants in August 2026 on a veteran-minimum contract with no guaranteed money. He opened as part of a four-back rotation under head coach John Harbaugh, and the group has averaged 3.8 yards per carry this season.
How it unfolded
- 2021Harris was a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers and topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of his four seasons there.
- 2025He signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers but appeared in only three games before tearing his Achilles tendon.
- Aug 18, 2026Harris signed with the New York Giants on a veteran-minimum contract with no guaranteed money, according to Pro Football Rumors.
- Oct 18, 2026Harris started the Giants' 34-27 home loss to the New Orleans Saints and finished with four carries for 2 yards on 11 snaps; the defeat dropped the Giants to 3-2-1.
- Oct 20, 2026The Giants are releasing Harris, NFL Network reported, citing Ian Rapoport; the team's official roster moves list him as terminated.
- Oct 20, 2026In five games with one start in New York, Harris had 31 attempts for 99 yards, second on the team behind Cam Skattebo.
Who’s saying what
- Party
- Harris said the multi-back rotation was "extremely frustrating" and made it hard to get into a rhythm, adding he had never been through this before and felt physically ready after his Achilles injury.
- Official
- Head coach John Harbaugh said the backs were taking equal reps to see who could earn the job, and "nobody has really taken the bull by the horns."
- Analysts
- NBC Sports' Mike Florio suggested the "are releasing" framing could be an effort to get someone to try to trade for Harris' one-year, $1.215 million contract.
Still unverified
A source told ESPN's Jordan Raanan that Harris' comments were not the reason for his release, and NBC Sports' Mike Florio suggested the "are releasing" framing could be an effort to get someone to try to trade for Harris' one-year, $1.215 million contract.