No Saquon, No Problem? Giants RBs Shine in Preseason Opener

Perhaps the New York Giants will be ok without Saquon Barkley after all.

Following the free agent departure of the former second-overall pick, New York opted to run a running back-by-committee approach to their offense going forward.

In the first preseason game of that test, some of the Giants' best runners stood out in a big way.

Big Blue ran for 155 yards and 5.7 yards per carry in their 14-3 victory over the Detroit Lions Thursday night. Dante Miller carries the ball 12 times for 63 yards (over five yards a carry), and even rookie runner Tyrone Tracy Jr showed his lethal rushing combination.

The night didn't belong to Tracy or Miller, though.

In fact, the top runner on the day was 2023 fifth-round pick Eric Gray. The Oklahoma product had just four carries but totaled 52 yards rushing and the lone two scores for the Giants on the day. Add in him leading the team in both receptions and receiving yards and Gray was New York's best offensive player on Thursday.

Related: Giants Receiver Nabers' First Catch Postponed Despite Win

Gray is considered one of the depth players in Big Blue's running back room behind Devin Singletary. The more he looks like he did Thursday, though, the better chance his role with the team will increase in 2024.

It may only be the first preseason game, but Gray looked the part of an impressive first run with the organization in a bigger role.