On Monday, the Giants’ winning run grew to three games; nonetheless, their offense lacked adequate pass-catching talent. Parris Campbell, a wide receiver, recently discussed his decision to be a healthy scratch.
During the offseason, Campbell signed a one-year contract worth $4.7 million with the Giants. His season-long earning potential was increased by incentives, despite the fact that expectations were somewhat elevated. The ex-Colt had produced a strong season in 2022, and New York lacked a collection of extremely skilled and effective playmakers at wide receiver.
Things have not gone according to plan for Campbell this season, however. The former second-rounder has seen his playing time drop considerably since Wan’Dale Robinson returned to the lineup in Week 3. Campbell received 16 targets across the first three weeks of the season, but only 11 since then. Despite taking on kick return duties, the Ohio State alum found himself on the wrong side of a numbers game for the Giants’ win on Monday.
“Yeah, I definitely was shocked,” Campbell said of the decision to deactivate him, via Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. “Shoot, I was more so just hurt, more than anything… hurt that I know what I put into it each and every week. And to be inactive for the first time in my career was definitely hurtful, was definitely shocking.”
Campbell battled injuries during his Indianapolis tenure, but his 63-623-3 statline last season offered a glimpse of what he is capable of producing when healthy. In his debut campaign with the Giants – who rank last in the NFL with an average of 180 passing yards per game – the 26-year-old has totaled just 104 scoreless yards on 20 receptions. Especially if tight end Darren Waller is able to return to the lineup this week, Campbell could see his 27% offensive snap share continue to fall and his role in the passing game dwindle even further.
When he returns to the lineup, though, he might be assigned to the kick return position. With eight runbacks this season, Campbell has averaged 23.9 yards; therefore, his simplest route to playing time for the remainder of the year may be through special teams. In addition, any performance in the last weeks of the season would help restore some of his worth as a free agent ahead of his anticipated departure this spring.
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