The preseason has not been kind to the New York Giants. The team has lost numerous players to injuries throughout training camp and Thursday night was no different. Already thin at the running back position, the Giants lost potential starter Andre Brown to a fractured leg. The injury puts the Giants at a real loss and could force the team to look into free agency to replace him.
Brown suffered the leg injury in the second quarter of the Giants preseason finale. He was tackled and was unable to get up. Many wonder why Brown was in the game in the first place as head coach Tom Coughlin will likely have to answer some tough questions about the issue. Brown was expected to play a large role in the offense this year alongside David Wilson. The two were supposed to be the new running back tandem for the Giants.
With Brown out, free agency is the best option for New York. There are still plenty of veterans waiting for their phones to ring. Former Flacons running back Michael Turner is the best available back. The free agent market has not been kind to Turner, but an injury could land him on a roster before Week 1. Turner was the premier back in Atlanta before being a salary cap release in the offseason.
Turner averaged a career-low 3.6 yards per carry last season, but still put up 800 yards for the team. Turner's best running days are certainly behind him, but he could be a productive option on a one-year contract. He is an excellent third-down option and would compliment Wilson well.
Another option would be someone the Giants are very familiar with, Brandon Jacobs. He barely played last season while suffering numerous injuries. Jacobs excels in short-yardage situations which would work well with Wilson as the premier runner. Jacobs signing would depend on how healthy he is.
Willis McGahee could be another option. The running back was released by the Denver Broncos. He is perfectly healthy and at one point was assumed to be the starter in Denver before a few rookies began to emerge over him. McGahee has had knee issues in the past, but he can hold up, the Giants could get a lot of productivity out of him. He rushed for 731 yards last season.
The Giants do not have many other options. Wilson can not handle it all on his own. They have very little depth to work and signing a veteran to a one-year deal would work well.
