Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. returned to practice Thursday — as a limited participant in a red non-contact jersey — and is “trending in the right direction” to get cleared from concussion protocol before Sunday’s game against the Commanders, head coach Brian Daboll said.
Tracy, who added to his rookie breakout season with a 145-yard, one-touchdown performance during the Giants’ loss to the Steelers on Monday, exited in the fourth quarter, and Daboll told reporters the next day that the rookie was in concussion protocol.
That, at the time, made his status for Week 9 unknown and also created a scenario where the Giants offense would need to adjust without one of its most prolific playmakers Tracy, a fifth-round pick in April’s draft, has collected 376 rushing yards across four starts and eight appearances while averaging 5.15 yards per carry.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. run up field on a big play during the Giants’ Week 8 loss to the Steelers. APHe took over the starting job when Devin Singletary — signed to a three-year deal in free agency as Saquon Barkley’s replacement — missed two games with a groin injury, then kept it even after Singletary returned by erupting for 179 rushing yards and a touchdown during those weeks.
Daboll stopped short of calling Tracy — who began his collegiate career as a wide receiver before converting to running back his final two seasons — the Giants’ No. 1 running back Thursday, but he didn’t hesitate to say the rookie has already carved out a significant role.
Tryone Tracy Jr. stretches during Giants practice on Oct. 30, 2024. Bill Kostroun for the NY Post
“We’ll use all three of those guys, but we’ll certainly, he’s gonna be a big part of what we do,” Daboll said. “Because he’s earned it.”
Defensive coordinator Shane Bowendidn’t expand much on the decision to bench Deonte Banks on Monday night, but he thought the second-year cornerback did a “good job” helping break up a potential touchdown to George Pickens, which was called back after a review, in the second quarter.
“Being able to respond when adversity hits, it’s a big part of this game,” Bowen said, before referencing the Giants’ loss to the Cowboys earlier this season when Banks’ lack of effort turned into a 55-yard touchdown from CeeDee Lamb. “I’ve seen that from him already, being able to respond, come back, played really well in Seattle [after the Dallas game], right?” Came back when adversity had hit him a little bit.”
LG Jon Runyan(foot) was added to the injury report after being a limited participant Thursday. … Tracy, OL Joshua Ezeudu(knee),Cor’Dale Flott(groin), CB Tre Hawkins III(ankle), CBAdoree’ Jackson (neck), OL Jake Kubas(abdomen), C John Michael Schmitz(calf), WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette(ankle) and LB Ty Summers(ankle) were the other limited participants.
Lawrence (rest), LBMatt Adams(knee), LB Brian Burns (Achilles/biceps) and OL Jermaine Eluemunor (hip) were upgraded to full participants Thursday.
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton(Achilles) and PJamie Gillan(left hamstring) were the only two Giants who didn’t practice in any capacity.
Three former Giants coaches were among the nine semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025: Tom Coughlin(2004-15), Dan Reeves(1993-96) and Bill Arnsparger(1974-76).
