Giants sign Freeman to help replace Barkley
The elusiveness and explosiveness of Saquon Barkley simply cannot be replicated, but theGiants are hoping to get back as much of those qualities as they can from a free agent.
The Giants and running back Devonta Freeman agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $3 million, the teamannouncedWednesday.
Freeman, 28, spent the first six seasons of his career with the Atlanta Falcons. He made the Pro Bowl in 2015 and 2016, but Atlanta released him inMarch after he averaged a career-worst 3.6 yards per carry in 2019.
“I think he’s got some juice left in the tank,” head coach Joe Judge said. “We’ll give him the opportunity to prove that.”
The Giants needed another proven rusher after Barkley went down with a torn ACL in Sunday’s 17-13 loss to the Chicago Bears.
The other backs on the roster included fourth-year pro Wayne Gallman, who hasn’t proven capable of being a workhorse back, along with pass-catching specialist Dion Lewis and fullback Elijah Penny.
The 5-foot-8, 206-pound Freeman has rushed for 32 touchdowns and 3,972 yards in his career, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. He’s also been an effective receiver out of the backfield as he’s hauled in at least 30 receptions infiveofhis sixseasons. Even last season, he totaled 59 catches for 410 yards and four touchdowns.
Judge said Freeman had an impressive workout Tuesday, and the Giants studied his game tape from the past few seasons. Defensive backs coach JeromeHendersonwasanassistantwithAtlanta from2016-19andspoke highly of Freeman’s character, Judge said.
Freeman figures to have a chance tobecome the starter for the rest of the season, but in next Sunday’s home game against the San Francisco 49ers, his role might be limited.
“At this point, we have to get him on the field and see where he’s at,” Judge said. “Obviously, there is a difference inworking-out shape and playing shape. We’ll have to see where he is physically and then we have to see mentally how he is with all the things we’re putting in this week. We just want to make surewe put himinapositionwherehecan be successful. We don’t want to throw him out there and have him not be prepared becauseof lackof time. We’regoing to do everythingwe can to help catch him up.”
Judge added that the Giants have confidence inGallmanandLewis, but thiswas about adding talent to the backfield with Barkley being a significant loss.
It should also give New York a better chance to compete to stay in playoff contention despite starting 0-2 for the seventh time in eight years.
“We’re not going to raise the white flag on anything,” Judge said. “Our guys are going to fight straight on through. We have a job to do regardless of the circumstance or outcome of the previous game. Our job is to get ready togoout there andput the best product on the field we can on a weekly basis.”
Shepardto IR
Freeman took the roster spot ofwide receiver Sterling
Shepard, who landed on injured reserve with turf toe. Under a new 2020 rule, he’s eligible to return after three games, so Shepard could potentially play in Week 6 against the Washington Football Team.
Shepard tried to play through the injury at the start of the second half against the Bears before limping off the field.
The Giants’ top receivers, in the meantime, are Darius Slayton andGolden Tate. Damion Ratley and C.J. Board are in line for more opportunities off the bench. The Giants also have Johnny Holton, Austin Mack, Derrick Dillon andBinjimenVictor on the practice squad.
“We’ve got good players
on our roster. We have confidence in thoseplayers,” Judge said. “Everybody has to come out and execute. We have to put them in the right positions as coaches tomake sure they canmake plays. I’mlooking forward to when we get Sterling back out there working with the team. He’s definitely a guy that brings a lot of juice on the grass at practice. He’s a guy that competes 100 percent for us in the games.”
The Giants also signed center Javon Patterson to their practice squad to replace center Tyler Haycraft, whom was cut Tuesday.
When the Giants placed Barkley on IR on Tuesday, cornerback Ryan Lewis was promoted from the practice squad.
QuarterbackDaniel Jones remains confident the Giants’ offense will generate more points soon, despite the injuries, after two tough tests against Pittsburgh and Chicago.
“It’s tough to see those guys go down, and those guys are both great players,” Jones said. “When you talk about how we’re going generate explosive plays, it’s the same process in executing our stuff. Regardless of who it is, I think you create those opportunities through everyone doing their job and the ball going in the right place against certain coverages. We have guys who make those plays. It’s about executing, it’s not about doing anything special.”