Sources: Giants signing RB Najee Harris to one-year deal
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants are signing free agent running back Najee Harris to a one-year deal, sources told ESPN and the NFL Network.
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."
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.
The Giants are also planning to release veteran wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
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.
It's expected to take Harris several weeks to get into football shape. But he'll have a chance to earn playing time in this group.
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. He rushed for 61 yards on just 15 carries prior to the injury.
Harris had rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the previous four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. John Harbaugh, who coached the Baltimore Ravens 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. "So, yes, he's coming back from the Achilles injury he had with my brother."
Harris was a first-round pick (24th overall) in the 2021 NFL draft out of Alabama. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and rushed for at least 1,000 yards every season in Pittsburgh.
