New York Giants running back David Wilson earned a seat on the bench after two fumbles on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. With Wilson's ability to protect the ball again in question, and without a viable backup behind him, the Giants are looking to sign a veteran free agent.
It was déjà vu for New York fans on Sunday when Wilson again found himself benched in a season opener. For all of the 22-year-old's promising speed and explosiveness, Wilson again struggled with holding onto the ball. His two fumbles contributed to the Giants' six turnovers, leaving coach Tom Coughlin visibly upset after the game.
"Six times we gave the ball away," Coughlin said, via NY Daily News. "Six times. I'm totally disappointed and embarrassed by that. That's sloppy football. You can't win when you turn the football over. That's the bottom line."
When Wilson fumbled a year ago, the then-rookie found himself in Coughlin's proverbial doghouse and didn't see the field again for the next three months. After their 36-31 loss in Dallas, Coughlin wouldn't commit to Wilson as the team's starting tailback.
"They're not going to play unless they can hang onto the ball," Coughlin said. "It's demoralizing to the whole team."
Given the Giants' depth at running back - Da'Rel Scott, injured Andre Brown and rookie seventh-round pick Michael Cox - Wilson doesn't appear likely to stay in the doghouse for the long. Although the team needs Wilson on the field, Coughlin hasn't dismissed the possibility of bringing in a free agent to bolster the depth at running back.
The Giants worked out Jonathan Dwyer, who's expected to re-sign with Pittsburgh, and Beanie Wells last week, according to The News. The team also looked at Tim Hightower in June, but never pulled the trigger.
Other free agent running backs still on the market include Willis McGahee, Cedric Benson, Michael Turner, Ryan Grant and ex-Giant Brandon Jacobs. Jacobs and McGahee are expected to work out for the Giants on Tuesday, NFL.com reports.
As for Wilson, who finished the night with seven rushes for 19 yards, he believes he can improve.
"I'm just gonna keep working hard," he said, according to NFL.com. "I'm at the bottom now. So nowhere to go but up from here. That's really all I got."
