Giants release Najee Harris after his four-carry start against Saints

The Giants are releasing Najee Harris, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday, ending the running back's short stay in New York two days after he started against New Orleans. Giants beat reporter Art Stapleton also reported the move, citing a source.

Harris gained two yards on four carries in Sunday's 34-27 loss to the Saints. The Giants dressed four running backs, but Harris, Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary combined for only 34 rushing yards. Skattebo did not record a carry after his workload had been reduced following four fumbles.

Harris spoke afterward about the difficulty of establishing a rhythm while sharing the work. ESPN's report quoted him describing how the first carries help a runner understand what the defense is doing, only for a substitution to interrupt that process.

Ed Valentine of Big Blue View separately confirmed the release through a team source. Harris finished his Giants stint with 99 yards on 31 carries across five appearances, an average of 3.2 yards per attempt.

Harris, 28, had rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons with Pittsburgh. He then joined the Chargers, where an Achilles tear ended his 2025 season, before signing with New York during the preseason.

His departure leaves Skattebo, Tracy and Singletary from Sunday's four-man group. It does not establish a new lead back: John Harbaugh had said the runners needed to earn more carries through their play. New York visits Houston on Sunday.