New York Giants

Vereen Injury Could Elevate Rainey's Status Down The Stretch

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:35 p.m. ET

Fansided, Curt Macysyn/FanSided via GMEN HQ

Many folks questioned the reasoning behind keeping five running backs on the roster heading into the regular season. But as the New York Giants found out again this week, an injury at the position occurs frequently. In Sunday’s win against the Detroit Lions, New York apparently lost Shane Vereen again to injury. Vereen re-injured the triceps muscle that had already cost him most of the season.

Vereen Injury

Vereen’s injury was confirmed on Dec. 19, 2016 on the New York Giants team website. “Vereen is officially the Giants’ hard-luck injury story of the season. He tore his triceps on Sept. 25 vs. Washington and missed nine games. Vereen was activated off injured reserve on Dec. 10, but re-injured his triceps on Sunday, his second game back.”

It was one step forward and two steps back for the veteran running back. His season likely ends with 33 carries for 158 yards (4.8 yards per carry). His biggest impact was to be as a third-down back, but he had only 11 catches.

“We’re going to have more to talk about on Shane moving forward. It’s too early, to my knowledge, I don’t know of any surgical procedures or anything needed yet. I need to speak to the training room.” according to McAdoo.

More Snaps For Rainey?

Bobby Rainey was active for the Lions – Giants clash, but he saw no offensive snaps. According to Pro Football Focus, Rainey did see action on 11 special teams plays. Moving forward, with season-ending injury to Orleans Darkwa, and now with Vereen gone, what will the running back rotation be?

PFF indicated that Rashad Jennings and Paul Perkins each had 25 snaps on Sunday. Vereen had 14 snaps, which adds up to the 64 total offensive snaps. Will Rainey see some offensive snaps, or will Vereen’s plays be shared by Jennings and Perkins?

Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Jamie Collins (51) tackles New York Giants running back Paul Perkins (28) during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Most of Rainey’s offensive time came early in the season. Against the Minnesota Vikings, he had seven receptions (on nine targets) for 43 yards. Rainey also rushed four times for 22 yards. Returning from London, where the G-Men played the Los Angeles Rams, the veteran back became persona non grata.

Previously, Rainey had five games in a row without an offensive touch, followed by one carry and one reception against Dallas. Both came after Vereen left that game with a concussion.

Rainey was ready the first time he was called upon. According to the New York Daily News on Oct. 11, 2016, Rainey said, “Shane and I athletically we’re really no different. We have basically the same skills as far as being able to run the ball and also catch it out of the backfield. And for me, I played with [Mike Sullivan], so he knows my strengths and what I’m capable of doing.”

With the Vereen injury, it seems likely that Rainey will get more offensive snaps as the season winds down.