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.
What it means:
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.
Brightwell lost one yard on his only carry and returned one kickoff for 26 yards in a loss to the Vikings on Saturday.
What it means:
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.
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.
What it means:
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.
Brightwell gained 23 yards on five carries and secured two of three targets for 18 yards in a loss to Philadelphia in Week 14.
What it means:
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.
Brightwell did not log any offensive snaps in Sunday's 20-20 tie with Washington, but he gained 44 yards on two kick returns.
What it means:
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 one week earlier, 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.
Brightwell (illness) is active Sunday against the Commanders.
What it means:
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.
