The New York Giants have added a familiar running back to their practice squad, signing Eric Gray amid ongoing depth concerns in the backfield.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reported the move on Monday, noting that the team is shorthanded with Tyrone Tracy Jr. on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury that will sideline him for at least four games and Cam Skattebo dealing with a minor hamstring issue of his own.
Skattebo has been working on the side during practice as he manages the ailment, leaving the Giants looking for additional options behind their remaining backs.
Gray, 26, is returning to the organization that drafted him. The Memphis native began his college career at Tennessee, where he led the Volunteers in rushing during each of his first two seasons before transferring to Oklahoma.
There, he delivered his best year in 2022, rushing for more than 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns while earning second-team All-Big 12 honors.
That production helped him land in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, where the Giants selected him 172nd overall. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth roughly $3.9 million that included a signing bonus just under $245,000.
His time in New York never produced a large role. Over three seasons with the Giants, Gray appeared in 34 games, primarily as a backup and special teams contributor.
He carried the ball 31 times for 79 yards and caught 16 passes for 104 yards while also accumulating more than 650 yards on kickoff returns.
A torn meniscus limited him to four appearances in 2025 after he spent much of the season on the physically unable to perform list.
The Giants waived him at the end of training camp in late August 2026. He later signed with the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad in mid-September but was released after only a few weeks.
Bringing Gray back gives the Giants a player who already knows the system and has experience on special teams while Tracy recovers and Skattebo’s status remains uncertain.
With the team navigating a bye week and preparing for upcoming games, the addition provides low-risk depth for a position group that has been thinned by injuries.
Whether Gray is elevated to the active roster or simply provides practice-squad insurance will depend on how quickly the current backs return to full health.
For now, his return offers a practical solution for a team that has cycled through several options at running back already this season.
