With Barkley out, Giants sign veteran RB Freeman 49ERS at GIANTS
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Two-time Pro Bowl halfback Devonta Freeman has signed with the New York Giants and might play this weekend.
The Giants announced the move Wednesday, a day after 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Saquon Barkley was placed on injured reserve with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Freeman, who was released by the Atlanta Falcons earlier this year, was at practice Wednesday. Coach Joe Judge hopes to have him ready for Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium against the San Francisco 49ers (1-1).
The Giants also will be getting running backs Dion Lewis and Wayne Gallman ready to play. Lewis carried the load Sunday after Barkley was hurt in the second quarter. Gallman was inactive, but he looked good in training camp.
“He had a good workout for us yesterday,” Judge said of Freeman, who signed a one-year, $3 million contract. “We watched his tape from the past few years. We have some familiarity. (Defensive backs coach) Jerome Henderson was in Atlanta with him and spoke highly of his character and the kind of teammate he is in the locker room. I think he has some juice left in the tank.”
Freeman played his first six NFL seasons for the Falcons.
The Giants also placed wide receiver Sterling Shepard on injured reserve with turf toe. He also was hurt in the second quarter of the Giants’ 17-13 loss to Chicago.
He is eligible to be reinstated to the roster after missing three games.
Freeman has played in 77 regular-season games with 59 starts, and five postseason games. He has rushed for 3,972 yards and 32 touchdowns, adding 257 receptions and 11 TDs.
He made the Pro Bowl in 2015 and ‘16. In the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots in early 2017, Freeman had 11 carries for 75 yards, including a 5-yard run for the game’s first touchdown. He added two catches for 46 yards.