Najee Harris works out with New York Giants
Football
Najee Harris worked out for the New York Giants on Monday as the team weighs whether to sign the veteran running back who is nearly a year removed from tearing his left Achilles tendon.
Harris, 28 played three games for coach John Harbaugh’s brother, Jim, with the Los Angeles Chargers last season before getting injured on a noncontact play against Denver on Sept. 21.
“He’s not back 100 percent,” John Harbaugh said. “He’s not in football shape yet, so if we are able to do something, it’ll be a process. But that would be a guy that has got a lot of experience. He’s a decorated vet.”
Harris is not long removed from being a productive player. He eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing in each of his first four years in the NFL with Pittsburgh from 2021-24.
That included 139 carries for 514 yards and two touchdowns in nine regular-season and playoff games with the Steelers against Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens. Harbaugh joked that the hair on the back of his neck stood up when he saw Harris on the field.
“That’s a big dude,” Harbaugh said.
Harris’ visit coincided with running back Dante Miller injuring his groin in the preseason opener Saturday against Minnesota. Miller was waived/injured as the Giants signed quarterback Jake Haener and linebacker Chandler Martin.
Given Harbaugh’s interest in running the ball, the backfield picture is not quite settled, though Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy are expected to shoulder the load. Harris would provide reliable depth if healthy.
“Najee’s great player,” Skattebo said. “I’m super excited to get to know him and meet him and play with him. Whatever comes comes. I’m super excited for it.”
Skattebo, whose rookie season was cut short by a broken right fibula and dislocated right ankle in October, ran four times for 19 yards on Saturday. Harbaugh said he does not believe Skattebo is fully healthy yet.
Titans
Tennessee quarterback Mitchell Trubisky left Monday’s practice with a trainer to get the biceps on his right arm checked.
“Think we’re good, but again, I’m the eternal optimist, so I’ll let you guys know tomorrow,” Titans coach Robert Saleh said of Trubisky.
The veteran had just had a deep pass sail on him as he held his throwing arm near his shoulder. He was 2 of 3 for 23 yards in Tennessee’s preseason opening win at San Francisco last week.
Trubisky is going into his 10th season in the NFL, and the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 draft by Chicago was signed this offseason to back up Cam Ward. Not only does Trubisky have the experience of being a high draft pick, the quarterback is familiar with new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll’s system.
Jets
New York Jets running back Breece Hall strained his groin during practice Monday and will have tests to determine the severity of the injury.
Coach Aaron Glenn appeared cautiously optimistic after practice that Hall’s injury wasn’t serious.
“I don’t think it was a big deal,” he said, “but I want to make sure I get the evaluation on that.”
Hall, the team’s top running back coming off his first 1,000-yard rushing season, caught a pass late in the practice session, pulled up and fell to the rain-slicked grass. He got up and walked gingerly to the sideline, where trainers appeared to be examining his upper right thigh/abdomen area.
Commanders
The Washington Commanders are releasing kicker Jake Moody and signing linebacker Krys Barnes, according to a person with knowledge of the decisions.
The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the moves had not been announced. They are expected to be made official Tuesday.
Cutting Moody ends the team’s training camp kicking competition, with the job going for now to undrafted rookie Drew Stevens.
Moody, 26, made 10 of his 11 field goal attempts in six games last season with the Commanders, his third team after starting with San Francisco and making a stop in Chicago.
Cowboys
Von Miller is set to sign with his hometown Dallas Cowboys and doesn’t even want to wait a week for the team to get back from training camp in California before joining the club.
The NFL’s active leader in sacks has agreed to a one-year contract for what will be his third team in three seasons, and second consecutive NFC East home..
The Cowboys will break camp before their second preseason game at Arizona on Saturday.
Miller, who has 138 1/2 sacks over 14 seasons, dropped the quarterback nine times in his only season with Washington a year ago. He joined the Commanders after he was cut by Buffalo in a salary cap move.