EAST RUTHERFORD - The New York Giants are signing former Pro Bowl running back Najee Harris, sources told NorthJersey.com and The Record on Tuesday afternoon. Harris visited and worked out for the team on Monday morning and spent the rest of the day as if his signing was only a matter of time and medical clearance, given the former Steelers and Chargers star is recovering from a torn Achilles last September. Harris stayed to watch practice and agreed to terms soon after. Harris, 28, suffered an Achilles injury three games into last season and he was off to a strong start for Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers. Their offensive coordinator, Greg Roman, is now a senior assistant with John Harbaugh here with the Giants, and he has heavy influence in the run game. So Harris has been on the radar for a while.
Cam Skattebo looked good in the Giants' preseason opener, as did Tyrone Tracy, although his missed blitz pickup led to the series of events that followed a sack of Jaxson Dart. Devin Singletary has also run the ball well, but given the way the Giants view their running game with power and physicality, adding a veteran running back was always a consideration. Harris will likely work on the side with the training staff for much of the early part of his time here, getting himself back into football shape. “Yeah, I felt like the hair on the back of my neck stood up when I saw him over there, you know?” Giants coach John Harbaugh said of Harris, who he faced during his tenure in Baltimore. “He's a big dude. So, yes, he's coming back from the Achilles injury he had with my brother and he looked good in the workout. You know, he's not back 100%. 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. And with those guys, generally, you just have to kind of see where they're at when you get them. And sometimes it works out great. Sometimes it's just okay, and other times it doesn't work out. But based on the workout, I would say we feel like he's got a shot.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Why Giants are signing Najee Harris and where he fits in the backfield