New York Giants to sign RB Najee Harris, release WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

The New York Giants agreed to a one-year deal with free-agent running back Najee Harris on Tuesday, league sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, confirmed to The Athletic. In a corresponding move, the Giants released veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster

The 28-year-old Harris, who suffered a torn Achilles in Week 3 last season as a member of the Los Angeles Chargers, worked out for the Giants on Monday and drew praise from coach John Harbaugh.

“He looked good in the workout,” Harbaugh said. “He’s not back to 100 percent; he’s not in football shape yet. So, if we are able to do something, it’ll be a process (for him). (That’s) a guy who has a lot of experience. He’s a decorated vet.”

The 6-foot-1, 242-pound Harris was a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021 who posted four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons before leaving for the Chargers in 2025. Harris has averaged 3.9 yards per carry and scored 28 rushing touchdowns in his career. He has also proved to be an adept pass catcher, tallying 183 receptions, 1,174 yards and six touchdowns through the air. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2021.

On Monday, the Giants put a waived/injured designation on running back Dante “Turbo” Miller, who suffered a groin injury in the team’s preseason opener. That left their running back room a bit thin, with Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary sitting atop the depth chart, and 2023 fifth-round pick Eric Gray also in reserve.

Skattebo and Tracy are still the most likely to serve as the team’s top two backs, though Tracy got himself into some trouble Saturday after failing to pick up a blitzer, who leveled quarterback Jaxson Dart for a sack. Harris now enters the equation as a running back who could push for touches once he is fully healthy.

As for Smith-Schuster, he was always a long shot to make the roster. The Giants signed the veteran in June, along with Odell Beckham Jr. and Braxton Berrios, when their receiver group was depleted by injuries. With Darius Slayton now back on the field and Malik Nabers trending in the right direction, Smith-Schuster became the odd man out.