Peyton Hillis will likely get majority of carries with Brandon Jacobs likely out

Peyton Hillis (40) runs the ball and is chased by Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Jerry Hughes (92) in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Colts won 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants have a tough situation at running back heading into today’s game against the Minnesota Vikings with Brandon Jacobs likely out and Peyton Hillis and Michael Cox as the only two healthy RBs on the Giants roster. Andre Brown is on the short-term I.R., and David Wilson is still a way’s away from returning. Mike Garafolo reported earlier today that Brandon Jacobs is “doubtful”, a source told the New York Daily News that Jacobs is not expected to play, and ESPN New York’s Dan Graziano is also reporting that Jacobs will “likely” miss tonight’s contest.

It’s safe to say that fantasy owners who thought they could start Brandon Jacobs today are in about as much trouble as the New York Giants, and adding Peyton Hillis is probably their only hope at salvaging some points. With Jacobs set to be out, Hillis is the guy the Giants should have the easiest time trusting. Tom Coughlin spoke highly of him earlier this week after the Giants decided to sign Hillis as depth, and offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride stated that Hillis would have to play this week due to all the injuries at RB.

He will certainly be playing this week, and Dan Graziano believes that Hills will “likely” get most of the Giants carries tonight, and that makes sense. Michael Cox is talented, but he’s too raw to be trusted. Hillis also apparently knows the offense due to his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this season (he was released, but the Giants believe that he gleaned enough info from offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan, who used to be a coach for the Giants and runs a similar scheme). Coughlin also stated that he likes Hillis’s hands out of the backfield (an underrated part of his game) and likes the way Hillis is studying the playbook to add to his prior knowledge of the team.

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