Devonta Freeman boost for Giants in place of injured Saquon Barkley ahead of their game against 49ers
With Saquon Barkley ruled out for the season, the New York Giants are getting former Pro Bowl running back, Devonta Freeman to sign the dotted line.
Freeman and the Giants have agreed to a one-year deal agreement worth up to $3 million, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The RB is expected to sign the contract on Wednesday and get his cleats on later in the day. The site also added his agent, Drew Rosenhaus said Freeman turned down more money from other teams as he liked the opportunity to play for the Giants. He had turned down to play for the Seattle Seahawks.
The New York team had bad news on Sunday when Barkley tore his ACL in his right knee in their 17-13 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday. The 28-year-old Freeman spent six years with the Atlanta Falcons. He rushed for 656 yards in 14 games last year for the Falcons, along with 410 receiving yards. Moreover, his career stats read two 1,000-yard rushing seasons and 4.2 yards per carry, according to ESPN. Barkley's injury leaves Freeman up to 14 games to play for the Giants. He was allowed to walk off as a free agent by the Falcons during the offseason and the team signed Todd Gurly as his replacement.
Dion Lewis and Wayne Gallman are already present on the team's roster and coach Joe Judge said both RBs will factor in. "We'll work to their strengths -- they are two different types of backs. Both of them have a degree of toughness. Wayne's got that long speed, get him ranging out and get him really moving. Dion's got that real good short-area quickness and burst to get going. He does a great job of finding small seams and getting through the hole. They are both different guys; we're going to have to work with what they do well to give them an opportunity to be successful."
Freeman joins the mix providing Judge with another experienced option. He is already undergoing Covid-19 testing and could be available for Sunday’s game against the 49ers.
