Eric

Gray

It was a mild surprise when Gray took the first snaps at running back against the Seahawks, but a fumble quickly marked the end of that and paved the way for Tyrone Tracy. If Devin Singletary continues to miss time, that fumble should clear a bigger runway for Tracy to make an impact in Week 6 against the Bengals.

Nearly all of Gray’s opportunities came on the Giants’ opening drive, where he was Daniel Jones’ emergency checkdown valve. However, he lost opportunities when he fumbled at the goal line, leading to a Seahawks fumble return for touchdown. Tyrone Tracy’s efficient running surpassed Gray’s production and even if Devin Singletary is out another week, Gray is just a kick returner with occasional pass-catching opportunities out of the backfield for fantasy.

Singletary has missed each of the Giants’ first two practices to open the week. Daboll said he will run Singletary through some drills later today and make a decision on his Week 5 status after practice. If Singletary is unable to go, rookie Tyrone Tracy could be in line for a busy day. Tracy has outsnapped veteran Eric Gray 63-15 on the season, and could also see extra work in the passing game with Malik Nabers (concussion) already ruled out for this week.

Singletary didn’t practice on Wednesday after injuring his groin in the Giants’ Thursday night tilt with the Cowboys last week. With two more practices to go before the weekend, it sounds like there’s a chance Singletary could suit up if he’s able to log a limited session at some point during the week. If he’s unable to go, rookie Tyrone Tracy and Eric Gray would both be in line for bigger workloads, with Tracy likely handling most of the receiving work.

Tracey, per Giants beat writers, went down during a kickoff drill. He was seen wearing an air cast on his injured leg before being carted off. If the injury is as serious as it seems, Eric Gray would likely slot in as New York’s No. 2 running back behind starter Devin Singletary. Singletary would seem to have a lock on the lead back role if Tracey misses an extended period. Tracey, a fifth round pick in the 2024 draft, was phenomenal in the team’s first preseason game, gaining 72 yards on nine touches.

It was Gray who stuffed the stat sheet with nine touches for 72 yards, but Tracy dominated snaps with what amounted to “the starters.” Pro Football Focus charted Gray as seeing the field for just two plays on the G-Men’s first four drives. The competition to back up Devin Singletary is not yet settled, but Tracy certainly seems to have the leg up.

The fifth-round pick drew some praise from head coach Brian Daboll last week and has been getting plenty of reps with the first-team offense lately. He is competing with Eric Gray for the No. 2 job this summer. Though Devin Singletary is locked in as the team’s top running back, Tracy, a former wide receiver, could carve out a role as a pass-catching option out of the backfield early in his career. That would give him some stand-alone value while also positioning him as the clear beneficiary of any absence from Singletary. Tracy is shaping up to be one of the better late-round picks for early best ball drafters.

Presumed No. 1 RB Devin Singletary has been present at OTAs but Gray has also had a chance to work with the first-team offense. The Athletic’s Dan Duggan previously reported Gray has “a clear path... to have a bigger role” this year and Leonard’s report seems to affirm the opportunity. Gray played limited snaps as a 2023 rookie, delivering underwhelming rushing results (2.8 yards per rushing attempt) but played well in the passing game, catching six-of-seven passes and winning all three pass-protection repetitions.

A 2023 fifth round selection, Gray had just 17 carries for 41 yards as a rookie. The Giants added explosive RB Tyrone Tracy in the fifth round of the 2024 draft, but Duggan suggested Gray would have first crack at operating as the team’s RB2 behind Devin Singletary. For now, Singletary appears to be the clear lead back. Gray and Tracy would likely split backfield duties if Singletary were to miss time in 2024.

The rookie Gray was primarily used as a returner, getting 14 offensive touches this season, 13 coming in Week 5. He now heads to injured reserve along with OT Matt Peart. RB Jashaun Corbin was signed from the Panthers’ practice squad and RB Deon Jackson was claimed off waivers from the Browns to add depth to the Giants’ backfield.