Tyrone Tracy Jr. showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie season with the New York Giants, but he hasn’t fully broken out yet, sharing snaps in a committee with fellow rookie Cam Skattebo. Just as he was starting to build momentum, an injury in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs has kept him sidelined leading up to Week 5.
With star receiver Malik Nabers sidelined for the season, Tracy’s playmaking ability will be more critical than ever. Here’s everything you need to know about his status for Sunday’s matchup.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Status For Week 5
Tracy’s injury happened early in the second quarter of the Giants’ Week 3 matchup against the Chiefs, when he was sandwiched between two defenders on what appeared to be a routine running play.
He missed New York’s Week 4 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers and did not participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday. Although he was limited in the team’s final practice, Tracy is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game and is unlikely to take the field against the Saints.
Initial reports suggested Tracy would miss two to four weeks with a dislocated shoulder. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Giants hoped Tracy could potentially return within two weeks of the injury. Even if that ends up being the case, Tracy is not going to be back for Week 5.
The most realistic scenario for Tracy’s return appears to be Week 6 at the earliest. Even that may be pushing it, as shoulder dislocations can be tricky injuries for running backs who need to absorb contact and secure the football, especially with the Giants’ Week 6 game scheduled for Thursday Night Football.
Week 7 now appears to be a more realistic target for Tracy’s return, when the Giants travel to Denver to face the Broncos on Sunday Night Football.
Fortunately for New York, they didn’t feel Tracy’s absence much in Week 4 against the Chargers. Rookie Cam Skattebo stepped up, carrying the ball 25 times for 79 yards. While he didn’t find the end zone, he logged two more carries than he had in the first three weeks combined and played a season-high 52 offensive snaps.
Moving forward, it’s clear this team will rely on him as much as possible until Tracy returns while Dart navigates this Giants offense, which is ranked 29th in the league based on PFSN’s Offensive Impact metric.
Still, with Nabers out for the season, the Giants would be eager to get Tracy back on the field. His versatility will be critical, as he recorded 38 receptions for 284 yards and a touchdown during his rookie season, providing a valuable weapon for both the passing game and the run.
