Young Giants running backs step up
The Giants got their preseason off to a strong start Thursday night with a 14-3 victory over the Detroit Lions.
The run game served as the catalyst for the offense against the Lions. Giants running backs Eric Gray, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Dante 'Turbo' Miller combined for 141 yards on just 21 carries, good for an impressive average of 6.7 yards per carry, while also contributing in the passing game.
Several media outlets praised the performance of the young running backs in the preseason opener, starting with Pro Football Focus.
"The Giants have to be happy with how their primary backup running backs performed Thursday night," PFF's editorial team wrote. "While likely starter Devin Singletary got the night off, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Eric Gray performed exceedingly well in the first half. Gray averaged 12.25 yards per touch while accumulating over 50% of New York's first-half offense while Tracy forced five missed tackles and picked up three first downs across five carries."
Tracy was the first running back on the field Thursday, and while he touched the ball only five times, he turned that into five missed tackles and three first downs. The rookie fifth-round pick totaled 26 yards while averaging 5.2 yards per carry.
Once Tracy came off the field, Gray fully took over the game. The second-year back finished with four rush attempts for 52 yards and two touchdowns, including an eye-opening juke to get by a Lions defender on his way to a 48-yard touchdown.
In addition to his contributions in the run game, Gray also played a key role in the aerial attack. The 24-year-old finished with a game-high four receptions, on four targets, for 46 yards.
Gray's performance led to both PFF and CBS Sports naming him the Player of the Game.
"The second-year Giants running back was the player of the game, as he racked up 98 yards from scrimmage and scored two touchdowns in the first half," wrote CBS Sports' Jordan Dajani. "Gray proved to not only be a reliable receiver, but a shifty playmaker in the open field as well."
Gray added a forced missed tackle to his final stats, as well.
"I just wanted to put my best foot forward," the second-year back said after the game. "Like I said, I just want to be Eric Gray; just be me. Last year, I kind of made football more than it is. It's just football at the end of the day. Just being me."
Miller was the final running back on the field Thursday night and rounded out the group with another strong performance.
The 25-year-old rookie carried the ball a game-high 12 times and gained 63 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, with a long run of 19 yards. He also caught two passes for seven yards.
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View photos from the Giants' matchup against the Detroit Lions in the preseason opener at MetLife Stadium.
New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (13) carries the ball against Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) looks to pass against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) looks to pass against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (3) and safety Tyler Nubin (31) celebrate a defensive play against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) celebrates with tight end Tyree Jackson (84) after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
New York Giants tight end Tyree Jackson (84) carries the ball down to the 1-yard line against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) and cornerback Alex Johnson (25) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll gestures during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) looks to pass against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) and Jalen Mayfield (62) react after Gray scored a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander (1) is tackled by New York Giants wide receiver Miles Boykin (81) during an NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) celebrates with New York Giants guard Jalen Mayfield (62) after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (9) in action against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) gets tripped up against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants tight end Tyree Jackson (84) dives with the ball during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants tight end Tyree Jackson (84) reacts after a first down against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) celebrates with wide receiver Gunner Olszewski (80) after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) hands the ball off to New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) who ran for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) gets tripped up against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) crosses the goal line for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) crosses the goal line against Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) to score a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) is sacked by the New York Giants during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito steps back to pass against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
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