Gray could pick up his first snaps on offense in Thursday's game in San Francisco with top running back Saquon Barkley dealing with a right ankle sprain that is expected to keep him sidelined Week 3 and potentially additional contests to follow, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie fifth-round pick out of Oklahoma has dressed for both of the Giants' first two games, but all 20 of his snaps have come on special teams while he's served as New York's punt returner in addition to holding a role on coverage units. Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell have both taken snaps at running back ahead of him when Barkley has been off the field for the first two games and are presumably first in line for work Thursday, but Gray's shiftiness in the open field could at least prompt the Giants to give him a look in a small change-of-pace role this week. As Stapleton notes, however, Gray is viewed as a liability in pass protection, which may hinder his chances of seeing a more extended opportunity even if Barkley is sidelined longer than anticipated.

Gray is listed as both the primary punt returner and primary kickoff returner on the Giants' unofficial depth chart for Week 1.

EDGE Analysis

It is a slight surprise that Gray is listed as New York's lead kickoff returner ahead of Gary Brightwell, who served in the role last season. However, Brightwell is dealing with an undisclosed injury that has impacted his practice schedule for the past several weeks, so the Week 1 depth chart may be a reflection of the fact that he isn't fully healthy. Gray was already assumed to be taking over punt-return duties from Richie James, who is now with the Chiefs. The rookie running back is also listed as fourth in the Giants' running-back pecking order behind Saquon Barkley, Matt Breida and Brightwell.

Gray rushed seven times for 11 yards and caught all four of his targets for 48 yards in Saturday's preseason finale against the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

Gray's struggles as a rusher continued this preseason, contributing more as a receiver while also handling kick returns. The fifth-round pick was the third back to enter Saturday's contest behind Jashaun Corbin and James Robinson (Saquon Barkley and Matt Breida did not play). Based on his usage this preseason, Gray will have to make the Giants' roster as a contributor on special teams this year.

Gray rushed five times for nine yards and caught two of three targets for 10 yards in Friday's 21-16 preseason loss to the Lions. He also returned three kickoffs for 62 yards and two punts for eight yards.

EDGE Analysis

Gray didn't see the field until after veterans Matt Breida and James Robinson, suggesting he still has ground to make up in the competition to claim the backup spot behind Saquon Barkley. The Giants clearly want to see what the rookie fifth-round pick can do in the return game, and Gray fared fine in that regard Friday. After a modest performance on offense in his NFL debut, Gray will look to put forth a better performance in the team's next preseason game against the Panthers.

Gray fielded punts in practice Thursday and is a candidate to take on that role for the Giants this season, Ryan Novozinksy of NJ Advance Media reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gray wasn't a prominent return man in college -- he tallied just nine punt returns and four kickoff returns in his four-year tenure, including none of either type in his senior season -- but he's a logical candidate to see work in that regard for the Giants given his lateral quickness. Running back Gary Brightwell worked as New York's primary kickoff returner last season, while Richie James served as the team's top punt returner for much of the campaign. James is now in Kansas City, and the team may not want to turn to a starter such as cornerback Adoree' Jackson, who sprained his MCL while returning a punt in Week 11 last season and missed seven weeks. As such, Gray could take over on punts while also working in a limited role as a running back behind Saquon Barkley and Matt Breida.