Giants' John Harbaugh yearns for a 'Derrick Henry circumstance' at RB

The New York Giants have a very capable running back room with four players who all bring something different to the table.

So far, through six games, the Giants are averaging 3.8 yards per attempt on the ground, ranking them 22nd in the NFL. That is not where head coach John Harbaugh and his staff expect this group to be.

Cam Skattebo served as the first man up out of the backfield for the first five games, but fumble and trust issues got him demoted. On Sunday, Skattebo saw no touches, giving way to the other three backs (Najee Harris, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary), who gained a grand total of 34 yards on 14 carries.

Where does the Giants' backfield go from here? The backs are frustrated with the rotation; like the rest of the people around and following the team, they want more defined roles.

"Do understand it. Respect it. Also understand that that's earned," Harbaugh told reporters about picking a lead back. "I would love for us to be in that kind of a circumstance. A Derrick Henry circumstance or a Saquon Barkley circumstance or whatever it might be. That would be great, and we haven't. Our run game hasn't earned that yet, and none of those guys have."

Harbaugh then offered advice to the four backs seeking more reps, more touches, and more playing time.

"My advice would be to any player, and it's all the guys; we had the same conversation. I've had the same conversation with all the running backs, the receivers; it's no different than any position, but do the most you can with the opportunities you get. Make the most of those opportunities, and you're sure to get more opportunities," he said. "Do something. So, I get it that you want to get out there and you want to get a rhythm, but that rhythm is earned too and it just hasn't happened yet. Definitely want it to happen.

"A couple weeks ago, we kind of went that direction and the running game was no different than it was this last game. But I do know that each of the guys, because I know because I've talked to all those guys, is they want to be that guy. They're not advocating for the other guy to be that guy. They're advocating for themself to be that guy."

It was noted that Harris was not pleased with the distribution of touches. Harbaugh had a few tidbits for him specifically.

"My advice is go out there and take the job when you get the ball. Take the job," he said. "That would be good advice for all of us at all times in every circumstance and I know he understands that. And the follow-up question, if you'd asked him that, I'm sure he would have said the same exact thing because he knows that as well. But I respect that he said that. I mean, I get it. Shoot, that's how we all want it. That's for sure, and I respect that he would want that too."

The Giants head down to Houston this Sunday to face the Texans. It is believed that Skattebo, who has handled 81 of the team's 138 handoffs (58 percent) this season, could be back in the starting role.