Giants designate RB Devonta Freeman to return from IR

Running back Devonta Freeman, who has not played since Week 7, has been designated for return from injured reserve. Freeman was placed on IR Nov. 13 with a high ankle sprain and a hamstring injury.

Freeman was signed by the Giants after Saquon Barkley was lost with a torn ACL. In five games, he rushes 54 times for 172 yards, 3.2 yards per carry.

Freeman, a 28-year-old seven-year veteran, was the Giants’ primary back before being injured.

Since Freeman was hurt, Wayne Gallman has stepped into that role. Gallman has 561 yards rushing on 121 carries, 4.6 yards per carry, with 6 touchdowns. Gallman has had double-digit carries in seven straight games.

Alfred Morris (40 carries, 183 yards) is also averaging 4.6 yards per carry as Gallman’s backup. Dion Lewis handles third-down duties.

How the Giants would use Freeman if they activate him is unclear, especially with just two games remaining after this Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns. At this point, perhaps Freeman is the ‘just in case someone else gets hurt’ back.