Giants insurance policy at RB is now the main threat

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - When the New York Giants drafted Andre Williams in the fourth round in May, the move was seen as an insurance policy at running back.

David Wilson was coming off neck surgery, and the veteran Rashad Jennings had been signed as a free agent in the offseason.

Heading into Sunday night's crucial NFC East game at the Eagles (4-1), the insurance policy has become the main running threat for the Giants (3-2).

Wilson retired with a neck injury, and Jennings is probably not going to play this weekend after spraining his left knee in the win over Atlanta on Sunday.

That leaves Williams as the starter and veteran Peyton Hillis as his backup. Michael Cox is now No. 3 after being signed off the practice squad.

"He is ready," Jennings said of Williams. "It's his time, and I am excited to watch him play."

The Giants have run the ball exceptionally well this season, averaging 121 yards. Jennings has been the workhorse, gaining 396 on 91 carries. Williams has 171 yards on 54 attempts, a 3.1-yard average.

Williams did everything right in college, yet somehow didn't get drafted until the fourth round. He broke Boston College's career rushing record with 3,754 yards, and he became the first NCAA FBS player to rush for more than 2,000 since 2007 when he gained 2,177 yards last season on 355 carries, a 6.1 yard average.

"I've had a couple games with success now," said Williams, who had a team-high 65 yards on 20 carries against the Falcons.

Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul became the latest Giant to take a shot at the Eagles. He noted in a roundabout way that the Eagles have won some close games. "Yeah they're 4-1," he said. "But they could have easily been 0-4. But at the end of the day, they won four games."