EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Some key pieces keep shuffling with the New York Giants offense. Whether it’s Rashad Jennings’ thumb, Shane Vereen's triceps or Larry Donnell’s head, they have been forced to make continuous adjustments.
The running back situation has undergone the biggest changes. Vereen is on injured reserve, and Jennings is unlikely to play for a third straight week because of a left thumb injury, according to a source. The Giants will again be shorthanded at running back against by far the best run defense in the NFL. The Packers are allowing 42.7 yards per game.
With the limited options at the Giants’ disposal, this is how the running back situation should shake out in Green Bay:
The Plan
Jennings is most likely to be inactive once again despite practicing in a limited capacity throughout the week. His pass blocking would be compromised to some degree if he were to play with the hurting thumb. It puts his status in serious doubt even though coach Ben McAdoo said Saturday would be a big day for Jennings and several other injured Giants.
"No different than what I talked about earlier in the week," McAdoo said on Friday. "[Jennings] has to demonstrate that he can protect himself, protect the ball and protect the quarterback."
It's not expected to happen for at least another week. That puts Orleans Darkwa in position to start and be the primary ball carrier. In that role last week, he handled 66 percent of the carries against the Vikings.
Darkwa ran hard and well against the Vikings (12 carries, 48 yards and a touchdown against a very good defense). It won’t get much easier against the league’s best run defense.
The passing-down role will remain the responsibility of Bobby Rainey. He’s the new Shane Vereen. Rainey played the most snaps of any running back (42 percent) against the Vikings, and touched the ball on 39 percent of those plays.
Rainey is going to remain a significant part of the Giants offense, whether it’s on screen passes, draws or dump downs. Quarterback Eli Manning and his coaches remain insistent on taking what defenses are giving them. In fact, it has reached the point of borderline defiance, making Rainey’s role an important one.
Much like he was against the Vikings, Paul Perkins should be sprinkled in throughout Sunday night’s game. Perkins made the Giants’ biggest offensive play of the game on a 67-yard catch and run. He played 23 percent of the snaps and had four touches.
“There was some execution from all three of those guys,” offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan said earlier this week.
Perkins’ role may increase slightly, but it should still be limited by his ability to pass block. There were several plays against the Vikings on which his inexperience showed in this area.
The Giants will employ a running-back-by-committee against the Packers, unless someone really gets rolling.