The New York Giants will have to compete in a tough division without one of their best backfield options.
Giants running back Shane Vereen has a triceps injury that will require season-ending surgery, the team announced Monday. Vereen suffered the injury during the team’s Week 3 loss to the Washington Redskins but played the entire game.
Vereen’s injury is a tough blow for New York, which already was without starting running back Rashad Jennings in Sunday’s loss to the Washington Redskins. Vereen leads the team with 147 rushing yards and a touchdown and also is tied for fourth on the Giants with eight receptions, trailing only wideouts Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard and Victor Cruz. He had been a legitimate pass-catching option out of the Giants’ backfield.
The 27-year-old established that dual-threat ability on the New England Patriots, with whom he spent his first four NFL seasons from 2011 to 2014. Vereen amassed 1,023 receiving yards on 107 catches between 2012 and 2014 and caught a team-high 11 passes in the team’s Super Bowl XLIX win over the Seattle Seahawks.
With Vereen on the shelf, the 1-2 Giants likely will lean more heavily on Jennings, third-year pro Orleans Darkwa and rookie Paul Perkins, who has yet to receive an NFL carry.
Thumbnail photo via Vincent Carchietta/USA TODAY Sports Images
