Injuries at the running back position were the only blot on the copybook for the New York Giants after beating the Washington Commanders 14-7 in Week 7. Fortunately, a runner already known to head coach Brian Daboll and his staff is “headed back to the Giants” from the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad.
Jashaun Corbin will join the Giants’ practice squad, according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. Leonard pointed out “Corbin had a strong camp here, knows the system and can step right in if needed.”
Jashaun Corbin is headed back to the Giants from the Carolina Panthers practice squad, according to sources
The Giants have injuries at RB. Corbin had a strong camp here, knows the system and can step right in if needed
Corbin’s knowledge of the Giants’ offense comes from a stint on the practice squad last season. The 23-year-old was released in August, prompting his move to Carolina.
Corbin won’t take carries away from Saquon Barkley, nor from backup Matt Breida. Yet, he would provide depth after Gary Brightwell and rookie Eric Gray both exited the win over the Commanders.
Brightwell and Gray suffering injuries, along with Barkley detailing an elbow problem, means the Giants needed Corbin. Maintaining some continuity in their rushing schemes by signing a familiar face ensures the Giants won’t waste the momentum gained by earning just their second win of the season.
Jashaun Corbin Can Fix 2 Issues for Giants
Corbin has potential in the right scheme, even though he’s yet to make the grade at the NFL level. He was a star at the collegiate level, averaging 5.5 yards per carry during stints with Texas A&M and Florida State, per Sports Reference.
Significantly, Corbin was also an able kick returner. He took his first kickoff to the house while playing for the Aggies in 2018, per ESPN’s Ben Baby.
Texas A&M freshman Jashaun Corbin’s first collegiate kick return goes for six.
The Giants have endured all sorts of problems in the return game this season. Many of the issues have stemmed from trying to convert Gray into a punt returner.
That experiment has consistently failed to yield the right results. Gray’s struggles continued against Washington, prompting Baby’s colleague Jordan Raanan to accuse the Giants of doing the fifth-round pick in this year’s draft a “disservice.”
The problem might go away now the Giants have signed former New England Patriots All-Pro Gunner Olszewski. His arrival to the practice squad was confirmed by Raanan on Monday, October 23.
WR and ST ace Gunner Olszewski is signing with the #Giants practice squad, per source. He was a first-team All Pro with the Patriots in 2020.
Could be immediate spot for him as a returner with Eric Gray leaving Sunday’s contest with a calf injury on top of his struggles.
Olszewski can handle punts, but the Giants still need return help for kickoffs. They have tried using wide receiver Parris Campbell, but Corbin can offer greater potential for big plays in this area.
If he can deliver, Corbin will justify his place without even having to contribute to a running game once again firmly led by Barkley.
Saquon Barkley Back to Workhorse Form
Three games out with an ankle injury allowed Barkley to recharge his batteries. No. 26 is now back to peak-workhorse form, evidenced by 45 carries in his last two games.
Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka have never been afraid to lean on Barkley. Yet, the player’s lengthy injury history means it’s a good idea for the Giants to always have plenty of bodies in reserve.
Breida provides good cover because of his own knowledge of the Daboll system, accrued from when the two worked together with the Buffalo Bills in 2021. Adding some more experience of this offense can only benefit the Giants, who know the running game and Barkley’s durability remain the keys to their season.
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Panthers RB ‘Headed Back to Giants’ Amid Multiple Injuries: Report