The New York Giants signed former Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris to a one-year deal Tuesday, then released wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to make room on the roster.
Harris was a first-round pick by Pittsburgh in 2021. He spent four seasons with the Steelers, carrying the ball 1,112 times for 4,373 yards and 28 touchdowns. The Steelers did not pick up his fifth-year option, and he signed with the Chargers in March 2025. His time in Los Angeles was brief and painful. He dealt with an eye injury during training camp, missed significant time, then tore his Achilles during the team's Week 3 win over the Broncos and did not play again.
Giants head coach John Harbaugh spoke about the signing after Tuesday's practice. "He's an experienced back," Harbaugh said. "Anybody that's watched him play knows what type of a back he is. He's a downhill runner, physical runner. I've played against him a lot. I have a good feel for who he is as a player. Everybody that's been around him, my brother, G-RO (Senior Offensive Assistant Greg Roman), (former Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach) Mike Tomlin, love him as a teammate. So, excited for the possibilities."
Harris spoke as well after his first practice with the team. "I want opportunity," he said. "I think this is a good opportunity here. I think the style of play that they're heading towards is the style of play that aligns with me. Harbaugh coming from the AFC North, me playing against him a lot of times, I know the type of style of football he wants. I think that we align with each other with what type of football we want to play. I think that just coming here is a good opportunity, and I'm willing to just put my foot in there and help out in any way I can."
The Giants' backfield was already full before Harris arrived, according to CBS Sports. Cam Skattebo, a fourth-round pick in 2025, had been positioned as the lead back entering this season. He is returning from a severe leg injury that included an open tibia fracture, an ankle dislocation, and a rupture of the deltoid ligament. He required surgery and spent much of the offseason rehabbing, though he has been available throughout training camp.
Behind Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy has led the team in carries in each of the last two seasons. Tracy split work with Devin Singletary in 2024, then shared the backfield with Skattebo early in 2025 before Skattebo went down. Singletary stepped back in after that and remains on the roster as well.
Harris now joins that group, making New York's backfield one of the more crowded in the league heading into the final weeks of the preseason.
