The New York Giants have placed running back Brandon Jacobs on season-ending injured reserve, according to reports late Tuesday evening from several media outlets.
Jacobs gained 238 yards on 58 carries (4.1 yards per carry) this season after the Giants signed him prior to Week 2 of the season.
Jacobs, 31, has played only twice since a 22-carry, 106-yard effort Week 6 vs. the Chicago Bears, battling hamstring and knee issues. In that time he has only 14 carries.
Is this the end of Jacobs' career? It might well be. The Giants rescued him off the scrap heap this season after a wasted 2012 season in San Francisco, hoping he could help stabilize their young, injured running back group.
In eight seasons with the Giants (he spent just one with the 49ers) Jacobs gained 5,087 yards, placing him fourth on the giants' all-time list behind Tiki Barber, Rodney Hampton and Joe Morris. Jacobs' 60 rushing touchdowns are the most in franchise history.
Jacobs recently talked about his love for the Giants' organization:
"There is no place in the National Football League I’d rather be than 1925 Giants Drive. Nowhere," Jacobs said last week. "We could have went 0-16, I would be happy and smiling in this locker room because I’m a Giant at heart. I love this organization. I love these fans. I love that ‘NY.’ There is not a better place for me. I’d rather be here than go somewhere and be undefeated. This is where I belong."
It would seem unlikely that the Giants would bring Jacobs back next season, with age, injury history and the Giants' need to revitalize their run game all working against him.
Linebacker Marcus Dowtin, a second-year player from North Alabama, was signed off the practice squad to fill Jacobs’ spot on the 53-man roster. Dowtin has previously spent time with the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills.