The New York Giants suddenly have a significant problem at running back.
A day after Rashad Jennings sat out the loss to the Washington Redskins with a thumb injury, the team announced Monday that Shane Vereen will miss the rest of the season with a triceps injury that will require surgery.
Vereen's agent, Ryan Williams, weighed in on Twitter not long after the team's announcement and indicated that the running back could, in fact, return this year, but it appears the Giants are proceeding as if Vereen is done.
The need to be right should far outweigh the need to be first. Especially when it comes to an injury. Possibility it is not season-ending. https://t.co/Kp7ocnHPfN
— Ryan Williams (@RyanWilliamsA1) September 26, 2016
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Vereen had 11 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown Sunday, giving him 147 yards on the ground this season. He also has eight receptions for 75 yards this year, and that might end up being the most costly part of his absence. Vereen was one of Eli Manning's favorite targets last season, Vereen's first in New York after four seasons with the Patriots. He caught 59 passes for 494 yards and four touchdowns.
Now the Giants will have to hope Jennings is ready to roll for Week 4 against the Vikings, with Orleans Darkwa perhaps in line for more work after rushing 10 times for 53 yards and a score against the Redskins. Bobby Rainey would appear most likely to step in as the third-down back and serve as a receiving threat out of the backfield.
