Newly-acquired New York Giants veteran running back Buck Allen says inking a deal with his third NFL team is “a blessing.”
This past Friday, the New York Giants took upon the notion to add more depth to their running back room. They ultimately inked a deal with veteran free agent running back Buck Allen. The fifth-year pro has spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints.
The Saints released Allen in August of this year, and he hadn’t signed with a team until his deal with the Giants. Now, he has an opportunity to backup Saquon Barkley when he returns from injury. Through it all, Allen is overly grateful.
“It’s a blessing,” he said on Monday when discussing the new chapter in his career, per Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated. “We’ve got great talented guys, but you don’t really miss something until it’s gone, and I missed [football]. So it’s a blessing to be on this team.”
If Barkley isn’t good to go for this Sunday afternoon’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, there’s a chance Allen could start for this team. Additional running backs include Elijhaa Penny, who’s primarily a fullback, and Jon Hilliman, who was recently signed once again to the practice squad. It’s unclear if Hilliman would be promoted to the active roster in the situation that Barkley sits out.
Regardless of the role Allen takes on, the veteran is ready to do whatever the organization asks of him.
“I’ll do whatever they need me to do,” he said. “I’m an all-around back.”
The Giants play host to the Cardinals this coming Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET.
