GARY BRIGHTWELL NEWS

Participates in minicamp Brightwell (neck) was a participant in the Giants' voluntary minicamp Wednesday.

Impact Brightwell ended last season on IR after suffering a neck injury in Week 15 against the Cowboys. The 2021 sixth-round selection saw little work on offense during his rookie campaign, getting one carry for four yards and one reception on one target for six yards in 13 games. Instead Brightwell was a consistent contributor on special teams, a role he'll likely continue this upcoming season.

APRIL 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on injured reserve Brightwell (neck) was placed on injured reserve Thursday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Impact Brightwell sustained a neck injury in Week 15 and hadn't returned to practice since then. With just two games remaining in the regular season, he'll be unable to return to the 2021 campaign. The 2021 sixth-rounder appeared in 13 games during his rookie season but played primarily on special teams.

DECEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Giants D boss Pat Graham loves Christmas, just not in-season

New York Giants defensive coordinator Pat Graham says he'll continue tinkering with the team's game plan until the morning of the game

DECEMBER 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Unavailable Sunday Brightwell (neck) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Impact Brightwell suffered the neck injury last week against the Cowboys and will be sidelined for at least one game. Saquon Barkley (ankle) and Devontae Booker are the only other running backs on the active roster, so the Giants could add a back from the practice squad for depth purposes this weekend.

DECEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Giants' Saquon Barkley playing for himself down the stretch

With three games left in the season, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley wants to focus on helping the team win and getting better

DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Giants injury report: Gary Brightwell returns to practice New York Giants RB Gary Brightwell (neck) returned to practice on Thursday, while LT Andrew Thomas (ankle) remained limited.

DECEMBER 23, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Jones says neck injury caused discomfort in some positions

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones says the neck injury that ended his season caused him discomfort in certain positions

DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

No practice Wednesday Brightwell (neck) is not participating in Wednesday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Impact Brightwell suffered a neck injury in the first half of Sunday's loss to the Cowboys and did not retake the field. The special-teams contributor will have two more chances to practice ahead of Week 16's road matchup against the Eagles.

DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not returning Sunday Brightwell (neck) will not return Sunday against the Cowboys, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Impact Brightwell suffered the neck injury in the first half on a special-teams play. His absence shouldn't impact the Giants' offense, as he is primarily a special-teams contributor.

DECEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers neck injury Brightwell is questionable to return after suffering a neck injury in Sunday's game against Dallas, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Impact Brightwell suffered the injury in the first half on a special teams play. He has recorded only one rushing attempt and one reception across 12 games this season, so his absence isn't likely to have a major effect on the Giants' offense.

DECEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Brightwell living up to 'special' comparison for Giants LOS ANGELES — Gary Brightwell wants to be a special teams coach someday. In the meantime, he is becoming a pretty good special teams player...

DECEMBER 12, 2021 • NEWSDAY.COM

RB Gary Brightwell on being back at University of Arizona Running Back Gary Brightwell talks to the media Wednesday about returning to his alma mater at the University of Arizona.

DECEMBER 8, 2021 • GIANTS.COM

Giants return from bye focused on Tom Brady and Buccaneers

The New York Giants returned from their bye week on Monday and held a light workout

NOVEMBER 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Returns from COVID list Brightwell was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Impact Dan Duggan of The Athletic confirms that Brightwell actually tested positive for COVID-19, but the rookie running back has evidently recovered. If any lingering effects of the virus don't prevent Brightwell from suiting up Monday in Tampa Bay, his role will depend on the health of Saquon Barkley (ankle) and Devontae Booker (hip), who are both well above Brightwell in New York's backfield pecking order when healthy.

NOVEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Giants activate Gary Brightwell from Reserve/COVID-19 list The New York Giants have activated rookie running back Gary Brightwell from the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

NOVEMBER 15, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Still on COVID-19 list Brightwell (undisclosed) remains on the reserve/COVID list as of Sunday.

Impact Brightwell was among a number of Giants players and personnel to enter the COVID-19 protocol this week, and while he was listed as questionable Sunday against the Raiders, the team was unable to activate him Saturday, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic. With Saquon Barkley (ankle) again inactive, the Giants were left with Devontae Booker, Elijhaa Penny and Cullen Gillaspia out of the backfield for Week 9. Booker ended up injuring his hip during Sunday's 23-16 loss, so if Brightwell can get back to the active roster in the near future he could be a candidate to get some touches on game days.

NOVEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Playing Sunday Brightwell (undisclosed) will play Sunday against the Raiders, according to Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site.

Impact Brightwell missed Thursday's and Friday's practices after landing in the COVID-19 protocol, but in the end, he was deemed available for this upcoming contest. That said, he's not likely to play a big role out of the backfield and might solely work as a depth option with limited fantasy upside.

NOVEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Officially questionable Brightwell (undisclosed) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Raiders.

Impact Brightwell missed Thursday's and Friday's practice after landing in COVID-19 protocol. If he is ultimately cleared ahead of Sunday's game, he will be expected to provide depth in the backfield behind Devontae Booker and Elijhaa Penny as well as contribute on special teams.

NOVEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

In COVID-19 protocol Brightwell didn't practice Thursday and is in the COVID-19 protocol, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Impact Brightwell was seemingly one of several Giants players and test members that tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week, but following subsequent retesting, only running backs coach Burton Burns has had his positive result confirmed. Meanwhile, running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) and safety Xavier McKinney were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, though New York seemingly has hope that both will be cleared upon further follow-up testing. Brightwell's ability to avoid landing on the list thus far suggests the Giants have less concern about his status than Barkley's or McKinney's, but Brightwell's absence from practice suggests he's not completely out of the woods yet. Assuming Brightwell is cleared ahead of Sunday's game against the Raiders, he'll likely be limited to a special-teams role behind Devontae Booker and Elijhaa Penny, the Giants' preferred options for backfield work while Barkley is on the mend from the ankle injury.

NOVEMBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

No usage in Week 8 Brightwell did not play an offensive snap during Monday's 20-17 loss against the Chiefs.

Impact Brightwell has yet to record an offensive snap since the Giants' Week 3 loss against the Falcons. The 2021 sixth-round pick has failed to make a name in the Giants' rushing attack despite an injury to All-Pro running back Saquon Barkley (ankle). In Barkley's absence the team has relied exclusively on running backs Devontae Booker and Elijhaa Penny. Monday's contest saw only Booker register any carries for the Giants, totaling 60 yards on 15 attempts.

NOVEMBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

No offensive snaps in Week 7 Brightwell didn't play an offensive snap in Sunday's 25-3 win over the Panthers.

Impact All 18 of Brightwell's snaps came on special teams. With Saquon Barkley (ankle) out, New York used fullback Elijhaa Penny (nine carries for 24 yards) to spell primary option Devontae Booker (14 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown). Despite Penny's lackluster performance, the Giants seem to trust him more than Brightwell, whom the team selected in the sixth round of the 2021 draft.

OCTOBER 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Giants' Barkley frustrated by ankle, Jones making progress

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is dealing with frustration after working almost a year to get back on the field

OCTOBER 14, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not part of offense in loss Brightwell failed to record an offensive snap in Sunday's 44-20 loss to the Cowboys.

Impact Brightwell's 16 special teams snaps were the only he played in Week 5. The rookie's lack of usage in the running game was surprising considering teammate Saquon Barkley exited the game in the first quarter with an ankle injury. Instead, it was Devontae Booker and Elijah Penny who carried the load after Barkley's departure. Booker, the team's No. 2 back, rushed 16 times while Penny finished the game with just one carry. One could assume that Brightwell should see a modest bump to his usage on offense, but it appears the Giants don't view the 23-year-old as a go-to weapon out of the backfield. The Giants take on the Rams in Week 6, and Brightwell should remain off the fantasy radar for that contest.

OCTOBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not involved on offense Brightwell failed to record a single rush or target in Sunday's 27-21 win over the Saints.

Impact Brightwell did not see the field on offense and is currently the team's third string running back behind Saquon Barkley and Devontae Booker. With Barkley playing at an elite level, both Booker and Brightwell will likely find it difficult to see much playing time in the Giants' offensive attack. However, if Barkley were to suffer an injury this season, the rookie could potentially find himself splitting some work with Booker. Brightwell remains well off the fantasy radar heading into a Week 5 matchup against the Cowboys.

OCTOBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Has one carry Brightwell had one carry for four yards Sunday against the Falcons.

Impact With Devontae Booker a healthy scratch, it appears Brightwell is Saquon Barkley's backup for the time being. Barkley seems healthy enough to carry a full workload, however.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE