Giants rookie suffers tough blow and is carted off the field right after promising debut

The New York Giants went on multiple paths trying to replace running back Saquon Barkley , who left in free agency to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles. The move with the highest ceiling and the most sustainability was the decision to draft Tyrone Tracy Jr. in the fifth round. Now, it’s unclear when the rookie will be able to help the offense.

Right after a promising preseason debut, the first-year player got injured during Tuesday’s practice and ended up carted off the field, according to ESPN’s Giants beat writer Jordan Raanan. Tracy suffered a non-contact injury and was carted off with an air cast on his right leg. The details are still unclear at this point, but it does sound like a serious injury.

In his preseason debut against the Detroit Lions last week, Tracy carried the ball five times and had 26 yards — 5.2 yards per attempt. The rookie out of Purdue was expected to have an immediate role within the offense.

Options

If Tracy misses extensive time, the Giants will have a depth issue. The best options are veteran Devin Singletary, whom New York signed in free agency, and last year’s fifth-round pick Eric Gray, who also had a promising performance against the Lions.

Beyond them, the Giants have two undrafted rookies, Lorenzo Lingard and Dante Miller.

If the Giants want to add more pieces to the running back room, the best free agent options are older players like Kareem Hunt, Latavius Murray, and Jerick McKinnon. Other available players include Marlon Mack, Joshua Kelley, and RB/WR hybrid Lynn Bowden.

However, the offseason edition of Hard Knocks let clear that Giants general manager Joe Schoen doesn’t value the running back position as much.

He thinks a good protection is enough to build a strong running game, and that’s why the team was never close to extending Barkley. It was a matter of roster-building philosophy and positional value.

"I think the priority right now is the offensive line," Schoen said. "We're going to be fine."

Similar discussions are the most likely reason for the Giants not to re-sign safety Xavier McKinney , who ended up going to the Green Bay Packers.

As part of the plan to build the offense around quarterback Daniel Jones, the Giants added offensive linemen Jermaine Eluemunor and Jon Runyan in free agency.

Related: NFL Draft analysts have a lot of faith in Giants rookie RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.