Giants Sign Bobby Rainey

MONDAY, 10:40am: The Giants’ deal with Rainey is now official, according to a team release.

SUNDAY, 4:48pm: The Giants are set to sign running back Bobby Rainey, as Rainey himself reported on Instagram (h/t to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post). Rainey was a participant in a recent round of New York veteran tryouts, which apparently went well enough for the veteran back to be offered a contract.

The 28-year-old Rainey entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2012, spending time with both the Ravens and Browns before latching on with the Buccaneers, the club with which he’s had the most NFL success. In 11 starts with Tampa Bay between 2013-14, Rainey rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and scored six touchdowns, adding another 300+ yards via 44 receptions. His offensive role dwindled in 2015, as he saw only five carries, but he was a key cog on special teams, where he played on more than 60% of Tampa’s snaps.

Rainey, who also worked out for the Dolphins before agreeing to terms with the Giants, will join a busy New York backfield that also includes Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen, Andre Williams, and Orleans Darkwa. The Giants have also been rumored as a potential first-round landing spot for Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott, and given that Rainey is unlikely to carve out a role as a third-down pass catcher (Vereen has that covered), his best bet to earning a roster spot might be continuing to star on special teams duty.