New York Giants

New York Giants: Orleans Darkwa Will Have Increased Role

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Due to the possibility of Rashad Jennings missing his second straight game, running back, Orleans Darkwa could have a big role on Monday night for the New York Giants.

The New York Giants appear like they will be without running back Rashad Jennings for the second straight game on Monday night. Against the Washington Redskins, Shane Vereen carried most of the workload, but he suffered a torn triceps in the loss.

With Vereen and possibly Jennings out, Orleans Darkwa will be the next man up. In the loss to Washington, Darkwa was a significant contributor in the offense, as he totaled 53 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown. Since being on the roster bubble in the offseason, Darkwa has worked hard to be a contributor to the offense.

“I’ve said for a while that my goal at the end of the day is to be a key contributor to the offense,” Darkwa said on Wednesday to Dan Duggan of NJ.com. “I would like to be the starter. That’s my goal. That’s what I worked for, and build off of that. I don’t know what’s going to happen going into Monday, but my mentality doesn’t change, my preparation doesn’t change. I’m going to make sure I’m ready for it.”

The Giants will likely feature Darkwa as their main rusher with Bobby Rainey and Paul Perkins serving in the role of Vereen.

“Whatever they ask of me, I’m going to do,” Darkwa said to Duggan. “I don’t know how many carries I’ll get in this game or what the future holds, but whatever they ask me to do, I’m just going to try to do it with flying colors.”

Darkwa has had to work hard in his career thus far to make the team. That hard work could be paying off on Monday night if he is the featured back.

“I’ve always had that chip on my shoulder,” Darkwa said to Duggan. “Just to be overlooked, I kind of represent a lot of the guys that were undrafted. I really have a lot of respect for them because it takes a lot out of that player to get to a certain stage. Even sometimes when you feel like you performed well, you might not get the opportunity just because of that label.”

Furthermore, the Giants will need to have an effective running game against the Vikings on Monday. If the Giants become one-dimensional, their offense could be in for a long night in Minnesota. Finally, someone will have to step up for the Giants in their backfield and that could be Darkwa.