The running back woes for the New York Giants continue to get worse. The team lost presumed starter Andre Brown in the preseason after the back suffered a broken leg. David Wilson went down with a potentially serious neck injury. Now, Brandon Jacobs is injured and reportedly out for the team's crucial Monday night matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
Jacobs had been questionable all week after suffering a hamstring injury. The Giants had said the veteran running back was 50-50 for the game, but now FOX Sports' Mike Garafolo is reporting Jacobs will not be on the field for the Week 7 game. Jacobs had been adding a much needed boost to New York's ground game, so losing him is not ideal for a team that has yet to record a win this year. In his last game, Jacobs put up 106 yards as the team sits 0-6 so far in 2013.
With Jacobs out, the Peyton Hillis signing continues to look better and better. The additional running back, along with rookie Michael Cox, are all that the Giants have left at the position. Hillis will now move into the starting role for the Giants after starting the season getting released from another team.
Hillis has not done much in the league since his breakout season in 2010. He put up 1,177 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns for the Cleveland Browns, while also catching 61 passes. Since then he has struggled while his commitment has come into question since he landed a top-dollar contract. He has since spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before getting cut. Hillis plans on taking advantage of the opportunity.
"I've been very humbled over the past couple of years," Hillis said, via the Newark Star Ledger. "I've really found my place. Wherever I am I'm trying to do what is best for the team whether it helps me or not. I feel like if this opportunity hadn't come along, I probably wouldn't have another opportunity."
Hillis has seen a steep fall from grace after once covering the Madden video game. He is hopeful that signing with the New York Giants is his second chance in the league, noting that getting cut from the Buccaneers was not the way he wanted his career to end. His chance at redemption will come Monday night.
