The New York Giants may have fallen short against the Washington Commanders, 27-22, but one bright spot for the G-Men was the continued emergence of rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Tracy Clears Concussion Protocol, Delivers Another Strong Outing
After suffering a concussion in the Giants’ Week 8 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, there were questions about Tracy’s availability for Sunday’s divisional matchup. However, the fifth-round draft pick was able to clear the league’s concussion protocol and took the field against the Commanders. “The news was great to hear,” said Giants head coach Brian Daboll. “Tyrone has been a real spark for us in the backfield, and we’re thrilled to have him out there today.”
Tracy did not disappoint, racking up 66 rushing yards on 16 attempts, along with 3 receiving yards on 1 catch. While the overall stats may not jump off the page, the film tells a different story. “The stats are deceptive, but the film on Tracy will look good,” explained one Giants beat reporter. “He had over 40 rushing yards in the first quarter alone, but the game script forced the Giants to get away from the run game after that.”
A Fifth-Round Gem
The converted wide receiver has quickly established himself as the Giants’ top running back option, overtaking veteran Devin Singletary on the depth chart. Tracy’s combination of size, speed, and power has made him a dynamic weapon in the Giants’ offense.
“He’s a good player. He’s got size. He’s got speed. He’s got power. He’s got good vision,” Daboll praised. “The plays have been blocked well, too. He’s made plays when they aren’t blocked. He’s earned his playing time. And he’ll continue to play. He’s performing well, so he’s earned what he’s getting.“
Through 9 games, Tracy has over 400 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the league’s top rookie running backs. His performance against the Commanders marked the second consecutive week he’s been named the Giants’ Player of the Game.
Kicking Woes Continue For Giants
While Tracy’s play provided a bright spot, the Giants’ special teams unit continued to be a source of concern. Kicker Greg Joseph was ruled out of Sunday’s game due to an oblique injury, forcing the team to turn to practice squad member Jude McAtamney to handle the kicking duties.
This marks the second time this season the Giants have had to deal with uncertainty at the kicker position. In Week 2, Graham Gano played through a groin injury before ultimately suffering a hamstring injury during the game, leaving the team without a reliable kicker.
“The kicking game has a lot more uncertainty,” lamented one Giants reporter. “The Joseph injury seemingly came out of nowhere. He practiced all week and didn’t appear on the injury report until Friday.” With McAtamney set to make his NFL debut, the Giants’ special teams unit could once again be a liability in a close divisional matchup.
Looking Ahead
Despite the loss, the Giants have to be encouraged by the continued growth and development of Tyrone Tracy Jr. The rookie running back has proven to be a key piece of the team’s offense, and his performance against the Commanders suggests he’s only scratching the surface of his potential. As the Giants look to rebound in the second half of the season, they’ll need Tracy to continue carrying the load in the backfield. And if the team can shore up its special teams woes, they may still have a chance to make a push for the playoffs in the NFC.
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