Giants Lose Derrick Henry As Plan B In Trade Talks

The New York Giants have lost their backup plan for a running back upgrade. The Baltimore Ravens made it clear they will not trade veteran star Derrick Henry to his former coach, John Harbaugh. This news closes the door on a potential deal for the 32-year-old rusher, leaving the Giants to look elsewhere before the deadline on Tuesday. Adam Schefter reported that the Ravens have “informed Henry that they have no intention of trading him” to Harbaugh and the Giants, or anywhere else. Baltimore sits at 4-5 after a tough loss to the Jaguars, yet they refuse to give up on this season or their long-term plans with quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Giants were hoping Henry could step in as a fallback option if their main target, Jonathan Taylor, proved too expensive to acquire. The Ravens Stand Firm on Henry Baltimore needs Henry to stay on the field to help them win now. The team holds a massive lead in the rushing stats, with Henry sitting seventh in the NFL at 689 yards this season. Trading him would send a bad message to Jackson, who carries a huge $84 million cap hit for 2027. The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones noted that cutting ties with a top runner would hurt the relationship with the star quarterback. “If you’re Jackson and you see your team cut ties with one of the greatest runners of a generation, what would you think?” Jones wrote. “Is that an organization invested in winning with you in 2026, 2027 and beyond?” They have 5 draft picks coming up and a schedule full of winnable games against teams like the Chargers and Panthers. A Shift to Justice Hill With Henry off the table, the Giants focused on a different Ravens player. Schefter reported that “A league source told ESPN that the one Ravens running back that the Giants inquired about was Justice Hill.” Hill is 28 and has spent his whole career with Baltimore. Hill has 240 rushing yards this year and 20 catches for 111 yards. He scored Baltimore’s only touchdown in the loss to Jacksonville on a 65-yard run. The Giants need depth because Tyrone Tracy Jr. is on injured reserve with a hamstring strain, and Cam Skattebo is listed as doubtful for the upcoming game. Hill could serve as an emergency fill-in, though his resume does not suggest he is a better option than Tracy. The Taylor Deal Looms Large The Giants still hold out hope for a bigger move involving Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts. Since the Colts have already turned down a bid involving a second- and fifth-round pick, the asking price stays high. New York may need to include Tracy in a trade offer to keep some draft capital while securing Taylor. The team faces two critical divisional games against the Eagles and Commanders around the trade deadline. The next test for the Giants comes on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m. ET against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.