Devin Singletary did not play much in the New York Giants' preseason opener, but the little he showed may have been enough to keep him in the conversation. On just four snaps, he turned a screen pass into a 40-yard gain, a reminder that he still brings value as a receiving back.
That matters because Singletary's role had looked uncertain for most of the offseason. The Giants signed Najee Harris this week, and many observers had already expected Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Cam Skattebo to handle most of the backfield work, with Skattebo potentially getting as much as a 60-40 share. Even after Singletary restructured his contract to play on the veteran minimum, his place in the offense was not clear.
Why Singletary still matters
On Friday, 's Jordan Raanan wrote that Singletary should not be counted out, and that view makes sense when you look at his history. Through his first five seasons, Singletary averaged 35 catches and 239 receiving yards, which fits the profile of a running back who can help in the passing game.
That receiving ability has shown up before with the Bills and Texans, and it may still give him a path to snaps in New York. Skattebo appears to be the near-certainty to play a major role in the Giants' running game, but that does not necessarily shut the door on Singletary.
What comes next
Ahead of Saturday's clash with the Dolphins, Singletary's role still looks fluid. He may not be the centerpiece of the backfield, but his preseason flash and his track record as a receiver suggest the Giants may still have a use for him.
For a veteran who was seen by some as expendable, that is enough to keep watching.
