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John Harbaugh Explains Why Giants Kept Nic Jones, Bryan Hudson and Four Running Backs
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- John Harbaugh Explains Why Giants Kept Nic Jones, Bryan Hudson and Four Running Backs
John Harbaugh made most of the key decisions while setting the New York Giants ' final 53-man roster Sunday. On Monday, he explained the method to his madness.
Harbaugh opened up about what went into some of the decisions, particularly the choices to keep depth defensive back Nic Jones and backup center Bryan Hudson over other players.
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The Giants kept six cornerbacks and nine offensive linemen, while saving only four running backs and five wide receivers. Harbaugh did say he intends to treat punt returner Braxton Berrios as though "he is playing on the 53[-man roster] ."
Why the Giants Kept Nic Jones and Bryan Hudson
The Giants kept five cornerbacks vying for full-time reps: Paulson Adebo , Deonte Banks , Greg Newsome II , Dru Phillips and Colton Hood.
But Jones was the sixth DB kept. Harbaugh explained that a combination of the 24-year-old's versatility and injuries to both Art Green and Korie Black led to him landing on the final roster.
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"Six corners is a good number, so if you have six, you'd like to have six. We have six we think can do it," Harbaugh said Monday. "Art got nicked up, got the concussion, so that was part of it. But Nic also plays nickel, he can play inside and outside, and he can play safety. So, he's got some versatility, so he's valuable for us."
Giants fans expressed frustration with Harbaugh's decision to cut Lucas Patrick , who was a reasonable challenger to center John Michael Schmitz , in favor of Hudson. But Harbaugh said Hudson's youth came into play, since Hudson is 25 and Patrick is 33.
"He's got a lot of football in front of him," Harbaugh said of Hudson. "That's probably the biggest factor right there."
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Why the Giants Kept Four Running Backs
Much was made of Tyrone Tracy Jr. 's tough camp, but the Giants also needed to keep his speed in a running-backs room that otherwise seems plodding.
Tracy, Cam Skattebo , Najee Harris and Devin Singletary make a formidable quartet of power, speed and toughness that Harbaugh wanted to lean into. Since the Giants didn't keep a running back on the practice squad, they'll need all four, especially in Matt Nagy's run-first offense.
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"We just felt like they were — the four backs were part of our 53 best players, and it wasn't comfortable letting one of those guys go," Harbaugh said. "We just felt like all those guys would be able to play a role for us and we'd be able to have those guys contribute."
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
