The Giants got a much better sign from Tyrone Tracy Jr. on Thursday than they did a day earlier.
After sitting out Wednesday’s practice, Tracy returned in a limited capacity because of a knee injury, according to the team’s Week 4 injury report. That doesn’t lock him in for Sunday against Arizona, but it does shift the week in a more encouraging direction for New York’s backfield.
That matters because the Giants could use some help there. The offense managed only 12 points against Tennessee, and while Cam Skattebo can handle a heavy load, that’s a different setup than having two backs who can actually share the work. Tracy brings something distinct to the group: he can help as a receiver out of the backfield and still take carries when needed.
If Tracy is able to go, the Giants don’t need to treat this like a test of who “owns” the backfield. They can split the workload, keep both players involved and figure out which pairings help Jameis Winston and the offensive line most.
Skattebo can take on the physical part of the job. Tracy gives them another way to attack the edge and get the ball outside.
The real checkpoint comes Friday.
Thursday’s limited practice is a step forward, but it’s not the final word. New York still needs to see how Tracy’s knee responds before Sunday’s game designation tells the fuller story. For now, though, the backfield looks a lot less thin than it did when the week started.
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For a defense looking for someone who can tilt a game in a hurry, Holland has already started to look like that kind of piece. His play has stood out as a major improvement and, just as importantly for New York, it has reinforced the sense that he can be an important part of what the Giants are building on that side of the ball. [Read more 🡒]