GARY BRIGHTWELL NEWS

Leading rusher in Week 18 Brightwell carried the ball 11 times for 60 yards and caught one of three targets for three yards in Sunday's 22-16 loss to the Eagles.

Impact With Saquon Barkley inactive in a relatively meaningless game for the Giants, Brightwell wound up being the team's leading rusher. The 60 yards were also a new career high for the 2021 sixth-round pick, and if somehow the team doesn't re-sign Barkley in the offseason or bring in a high-profile replacement, Brightwell could have a much more significant role in 2023.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gary Brightwell finds gap for a 17-yard run | Giants vs. Eagles Highlights Running back Gary Brightwell finds a gap for 17-yard pickup against the Eagles.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • GIANTS.COM

Gary Brightwell finds space for a 24-yard pickup | Giants vs. Eagles Highlights Running back Gary Brightwell finds room for 24 yards in the third quarter against the Eagles

JANUARY 9, 2023 • GIANTS.COM

Sees just one snap Week 16 Brightwell lost one yard on his only carry and returned one kickoff for 26 yards in a loss to the Vikings on Saturday.

Impact After failing to record any offensive snaps against Washington in Week 15, Brightwell got one snap Saturday, but he lost a yard on a first-down carry in the first quarter. His role as the team's kick returner boosts his importance to New York, but Brightwell shouldn't be expected to be a fantasy producer while lead back Saquon Barkley (63 snaps Saturday) and No. 2 ball carrier Matt Breida (11 snaps) are healthy.

DECEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Loses role on offense Brightwell did not log any offensive snaps in New York's Week 15 win over the Commanders. He played on 15 special-teams snaps and tallied 21 yards on his lone kickoff return.

Impact With Saquon Barkley limited last week against the Eagles, Brightwell saw a season-high 21 offensive snaps and tallied 41 total yards. However, Barkley was back at full strength Sunday, pushing Brightwell out of the offense entirely. Matt Breida looks to have a secure hold on the minimal backup touches behind Barkley, so Brightwell could be in line for more games like this one during which he works exclusively as a special teamer.

DECEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gets increased work in Week 14 loss Brightwell gained 23 yards on five carries and secured two of three targets for 18 yards in a loss to Philadelphia in Week 14. He added three kick returns for 58 yards.

Impact Brightwell didn't log an offensive snap against Washington in Week 13, but he tallied 21 against the Eagles on Sunday. That was partly due to Saquon Barkley's limitations due to a neck injury and partly due to the Giants getting routed in the contest. It was nonetheless revealing that Brightwell logged just two fewer snaps than presumed No. 2 back Matt Breida, and Brightwell was the far more productive player with 41 total yards to Breida's 15. Neither backup ball carrier has fantasy value as long as Barkley is healthy, but if the bell-cow starter is unable to move past his neck injury and is forced to miss time, both Breida and Brightwell would have some intrigue as fantasy pickups.

DECEMBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Limited to return duties Brightwell did not log any offensive snaps in Sunday's 20-20 tie with Washington, but he gained 44 yards on two kick returns.

Impact Brightwell entered the weekend with a questionable tag due to an illness. He was ultimately able to play against Washington but did not garner any snaps on offense for the first time since Week 10. Brightwell had seen his most action of the campaign on Thanksgiving, totaling 31 yards on five carries and 18 yards on two catches against Dallas. He's yet to log more than 10 offensive snaps in any game this season, and his value to the Giants is primarily as a kick returner.

DECEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Will play Sunday Brightwell (illness) is active Sunday against the Commanders.

Impact Brightwell closed out the week with back-to-back limited practices, and he's good to go Week 13 against Washington. He saw an increased role in Week 12's loss to the Cowboys, which may be worth monitoring to see if it carries over to today.

DECEMBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Deemed questionable for Sunday Brightwell (illness) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against Washington, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Impact Brightwell didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness, but he's logged back-to-back limited sessions to end Week 13 prep and has a chance to suit up Sunday. The backup running back saw a career-high seven touches during the Giants' Thanksgiving Day loss to Dallas, but if Brightwell is deemed available against Washington, it's unclear if he'll match that type of usage while operating behind Saquon Barkley and Matt Breida.

DECEMBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Bumps up practice activity Thursday Brightwell (illness) was listed as a limited participant on Thursday's estimated injury report, per Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site.

Impact Brightwell missed practice Wednesday after he reportedly came down with an unspecified illness Tuesday. However, the running back appears to be working through this ailment well, and he will have one more chance to practice in full before Sunday's game against Washington. Brightwell saw season highs in touches and offensive snaps during the Giants' loss to Dallas on Thanksgiving Day, so he could be in line for additional usage behind Saquon Barkley and Matt Breida when healthy.

DECEMBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not spotted at practice Wednesday Brightwell (illness) wasn't spotted at practice Wednesday, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Impact Brightwell is under the weather to start Week 13 prep but will have two more opportunities to practice before the team needs to make a decision on his status for Sunday's matchup against Washington. The aliment comes at an inopportune time for the running back, who saw a career-high seven touches in the team's Week 12 loss to Dallas.

NOVEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Under the weather Brightwell is dealing with an illness Tuesday, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Impact Brightwell is coming off a season-high five carries for 31 yards, as well as two catches on two targets for 18 yards in Week 12's loss to the Cowboys. With no one behind Brightwell on the team's positional depth chart, a promotion from the team's practice squad may be in order, if he is unable to suit up Sunday against the Commanders.

NOVEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dan Duggan: RB Gary Brightwell (illness), OL Josh Ezeudu... - The Athletic RB Gary Brightwell (illness), OL Josh Ezeudu (neck), OL Shane Lemieux (toe) and CB Adoree' Jackson (knee) weren't spotted at Giants practice...

NOVEMBER 29, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Gets expanded role Thursday Brightwell rushed five times for 31 yards and caught both of his targets for 18 yards in a Thanksgiving loss to Dallas.

Impact Brightwell came into Thursday with just four carries on the campaign and none since Week 5. The second-year back exceeded that season total against the Cowboys, and he added his first two receptions (on his first two targets) of the season. Brightwell did well with the opportunity, ripping off a 15-yard gain on his second carry, following that with an 11-yard rush and later adding carries of four and six yards, respectively, on consecutive plays to single-handedly give New York a first down. Saquon Barkley remained the bell cow in the contest with 15 touches and 44 offensive snaps, and Matt Breida saw his usual level of involvement with three touches and 16 snaps to Brightwell's 10. That suggests that Brightwell still is the third ball-carrying option on the team, though his effectiveness Thursday could lead the Giants to start giving him more looks.

NOVEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gary Brightwell finds gap for 15-yard gain | Giants vs. Cowboys Highlights Running back Gary Brightwell finds a gap for for a 15-yard gain in the third quarter.

NOVEMBER 25, 2022 • GIANTS.COM

Gets into end zone Sunday Brightwell rushed twice for five yards and scored a touchdown in a 27-22 win over the Packers on Sunday. He also returned three kickoffs for 56 yards.

Impact When Saquon Barkley briefly departed with a shoulder injury during a Giants drive that ran from the end of the third quarter through the beginning of the fourth, both Brightwell and Matt Breida got to see more time than usual on the field. Brightwell logged two carries during the drive and helped New York tie the score 20-20 with a two-yard run into the end zone. With just four carries and no receiving targets through five weeks, it's clear that Brightwell isn't going to be asked to do much aside from returning kickoffs as long as the two running backs ahead of him are healthy.

OCTOBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gary Brightwell ties it up on first career TD | Giants vs. Packers Highlights Running back Gary Brightwell punches it into the end zone for his first NFL touchdown in the game against the Packers in London.

OCTOBER 9, 2022 • GIANTS.COM

Gary Brightwell recovers muffed punt late in 4th quarter | Giants vs. Bears Highlights Running back Gary Brightwell jumps on Velus Jones Jr.'s muffed punt late in the fourth quarter against the Bears.

OCTOBER 2, 2022 • GIANTS.COM

RB Gary Brightwell on returning kickoffs Running back Gary Brightwell speaks to the media after Wednesday's practice.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2022 • GIANTS.COM

RB Gary Brightwell on collective Week 2 effort Running back Gary Brightwell talks about everyone contributing to the Week 2 win.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 • GIANTS.COM

Gets one touch in Week 2 Brightwell rushed once for 14 yards and was not targeted in the passing game during a 19-16 victory versus the Panthers on Sunday.

Impact Brightwell was in on only one offensive snap in the contest, but he made the most of it with a 14-yard rush in a third-and-one situation in the fourth quarter. The carry moved New York past midfield and helped set up Graham Gano's game-deciding 56-yard field goal. In addition to the one carry, Brightwell logged 17 snaps on special teams, which is where he figures to make most of his impact this season.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Adoree Jackson heading back to Tennessee as Giants No. 1 DB

Veteran cornerback Adoree Jackson isn’t heading back to Tennessee with the New York Giants this weekend, looking to show the Titans they made a mistake after releasing him in March...

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Won't play against Bengals Brightwell won't play in Sunday's preseason matchup against the Bengals, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Impact Both Brightwell and Matt Breida (undisclosed) will be held out against Cincinnati, so Antonio Williams and Jashaun Corbin should have increased opportunities in the Giants' backfield. Brightwell's final chance to play in the preseason will be Aug. 28 against the Jets.

AUGUST 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Could get big opportunity Thursday Brightwell figures to see plenty of action in Thursday's preseason opener versus New England, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Impact No. 2 running back Matt Breida is dealing with an undisclosed injury and isn't expected to play Thursday, and Saquon Barkley will likely see very limited snaps. That should leave lots of room for youngsters Antonio Williams, Jashaun Corbin and Brightwell to show off their skills. Brightwell was listed as the third-string running back on the Giants' first unofficial depth chart, but Williams has more often been receiving those reps during camp. Only one of Brightwell, Williams and Corbin may make the 53-man roster.

AUGUST 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

New York Giants 2022 Training Camp Roster Preview: RB Gary Brightwell Is Gary Brightwell, last year’s sixth-round pick, in danger of losing his roster spot?

JUNE 7, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM