East Rutherford, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) - Their backfield a question mark, the winless New York Giants said Wednesday they have signed running back Peyton Hillis, the former 1,100-yard rusher for the Browns who was cut last month by the Buccaneers.
Hillis, 27, said he was coming into the situation "with an open heart and open mind."
The Giants picked him up because, as a Giants.com writer put it, their backfield is "unsettled."
It has been plagued by injuries.
Starting running back David Wilson is out with a neck injury he suffered Oct. 6 and a timetable for his return hasn't been set.
Brandon Jacobs, re-signed last month, suffered a hamstring injury in last Thursday's loss to the Bears, which dropped the Giants to 0-6 for the first time since 1976.
Da'Rel Scott, also recently re-signed, was waived Tuesday after hurting his hamstring against Chicago, leaving the Giants with only had one healthy back at practice on Monday -- rookie seventh-round pick Michael Cox.
Hillis didn't see any action before he was cut by the Bucs. He spent last season with the Chiefs, rushing for 309 yards and a touchdown in 13 games -- including two starts.
He hasn't approached the numbers he put up in 2010 with the Browns: 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing with 477 yards and two touchdowns receiving.
Hillis says he hasn't had "too much of an opportunity" since leaving Cleveland and thinks he might be a quick study with the Giants playbook.
"From what I understand, a lot of the terminology is the same as it was in Tampa, and so it may be a quick process," said Hillis. "Maybe, maybe not. We'll see."
The Giants face the Vikings at home on Monday night.
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