Gary Brightwell
25-Year-Old
Questionable
Injury Hamstring
Est. Return 5/1/2024
2023 Rush/Rec Stats
ATT
9
YDS
19
TD
0
YDS
47
TD
0
2024 Projections
2023 Fantasy Outlook
Brightwell saw limited action at running back in 17 games with the Giants last season, logging 141 yards and one touchdown on 31 carries while adding 39 receiving yards on five catches. The Arizona alum was more active on special teams, as he served as the team's top kick returner. He'll likely reprise that role in the coming campaign, which should help him hold onto a roster spot. However, Brightwell remains behind workhorse Saquon Barkley and veteran Matt Breida on the running back depth chart, and the addition of rookie Eric Gray could further cut into his opportunities on offense. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Ends season on IR
Brightwell (hamstring) played in seven games during the regular season, rushing nine times for 19 yards and adding five catches on seven targets for 47 yards.
ANALYSIS
Most of Brightwell's work came on special teams, though he did get four carries in both Week 3 and Week 4 while Saquon Barkley was out with an injury. Brightwell didn't do much with those opportunities, and he had only one carry over his other five contests combined. The third-year pro's campaign came to a halt after he suffered an ankle injury that eventually landed him on IR, and though he was designated to return ahead of Week 16, New York didn't end up activating him. The Giants' running-back room is in flux heading into the offseason, with Barkley and veteran Matt Breida set to be free agents. Brightwell, 2023 rookie Eric Gray and Jashaun Corbin are New York's three RBs currently under contract for next year, with Gray the most likely of the three to take on a lead-back role if Barkley doesn't return and the team doesn't add a starting-caliber replacement.
Most of Brightwell's work came on special teams, though he did get four carries in both Week 3 and Week 4 while Saquon Barkley was out with an injury. Brightwell didn't do much with those opportunities, and he had only one carry over his other five contests combined. The third-year pro's campaign came to a halt after he suffered an ankle injury that eventually landed him on IR, and though he was designated to return ahead of Week 16, New York didn't end up activating him. The Giants' running-back room is in flux heading into the offseason, with Barkley and veteran Matt Breida set to be free agents. Brightwell, 2023 rookie Eric Gray and Jashaun Corbin are New York's three RBs currently under contract for next year, with Gray the most likely of the three to take on a lead-back role if Barkley doesn't return and the team doesn't add a starting-caliber replacement.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Gary Brightwell's 2023 advanced stats compare to other running backs?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank.
The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Broken Tackle %
0.0%Positive Run %
88.9%% Yds After Contact
105.3%Avg Yds After Contact
2.2Rushing TD %
0.0%Touches Per Game
2.0% Snaps w/Touch
35.9%Air Yards Per Game
-0.4Air Yards Per Snap
-0.08% Team Air Yards
-0.1%% Team Targets
1.4%Avg Depth of Target
-0.4 YdsCatch Rate
71.4%Drop Rate
14.3%Avg Yds After Catch
10.6% Targeted On Route
25.9%Avg Yds Per Route Run
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2023
2022
2021
2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Gary Brightwell lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
Detailed
Grouped
Side
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2023 Gary Brightwell Split Stats
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Role could increase
Brightwell is in line for a more prominent role during training camp, and potentially the regular season as well, after Saquon Barkley and the Giants failed to reach an agreement Monday on a contract extension, Jordan Raanan of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Barkley has yet to sign his franchise tag, and he could elect to skip camp entirely without losing any game checks. That creates an opportunity for Brightwell, a sixth-round pick in 2021 who played primarily on special teams last season but turned 36 touches into 180 yards and a touchdown. If Barkley's holdout lasts until Week 1, though, Brightwell would find himself competing with journeyman Matt Breida and rookie Eric Gray for a bigger role in the Giants backfield.
Barkley has yet to sign his franchise tag, and he could elect to skip camp entirely without losing any game checks. That creates an opportunity for Brightwell, a sixth-round pick in 2021 who played primarily on special teams last season but turned 36 touches into 180 yards and a touchdown. If Barkley's holdout lasts until Week 1, though, Brightwell would find himself competing with journeyman Matt Breida and rookie Eric Gray for a bigger role in the Giants backfield.
2021 Fantasy Outlook
A sixth round pick, Brightwell will vie for backup duties behind Saquon Barkley and Devontae Booker. He played slot receiver initially in college, so he has some receiving skills, should he ever see an opportunity.
More Fantasy News
Returns to practice
Brightwell (hamstring) practiced in full Thursday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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Practice window opens Wednesday
Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Wednesday that Brightwell (hamstring) has been designated for return from injured reseve, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Headed to IR
The Giants placed Brightwell (hamstring) on injured reserve Saturday, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Won't play Week 8
Brightwell (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against against the Jets, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
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Non-participant at practice
Brightwell (hamstring) did not participate at practice Wednesday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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