The New York Giants tried winning with the running backs they had on their roster after Saquon Barkley’s injury in week three, but after Wayne Gallman also went down and missed the Thursday Night Football game with the Patriots, it soon became clear that the team needs outside help. The Giants didn’t look all that competitive with the Patriots outside of fleeting moments, and part of that had to do with the lack of a strong running game, as Hilliman ended up taking most of the snaps for New York.
The problem of the running game, however, is being addressed as the team has waived Hilliman only a day after the Patriots loss, choosing to replace him him with veteran Javorius Allen, who played four years with the Ravens before having an unsuccessful stint with the Saints that saw him get on the injured reserve list before being waived.
Allen, of course, comes into the job with much more experience than the rookie Hilliman. While Hilliman joined the Giants off the practice squad after going undrafted out of Rutgers, Allen already has 1,249 rushing yards in the NFL as well as 8 touchdowns. It’s not great numbers for a player that’s been around for five seasons at this point, but the Giants aren’t looking for a real solution, just a stopgap until Saquon Barkley returns.
Barkley’s recovery has been quick, even to the extent of being much quicker than expected, but the team hasn’t shown the will to rush Barkley back early. Despite getting back on the training field and preparing for both Minnesota and New England, Barkley wasn’t deemed ready for either game and there’s no definitive word yet on when Barkley is going to be back.
Until then, the Giants will just have to hope Allen and Elijhaa Penny are enough to handle the next game or two.