There is no drop, fumble, missed block or any other turning point that easily explains how Parris Campbell went from heavily involved to complete afterthought in the Giants’ offense.
The phasing out from a starting receiver who had 24 targets over the first four games to kickoff returner to a healthy lineup scratch over the past two games started when the Giants decided to emphasize bigger roles for second-year pro Wan’Dale Robinson and rookie Jalin Hyatt in Week 5.
It was an unusually quick plug to pull on a free-agent addition who signed a one-year, $4.7 million contract.
“It’s not easy, but it’s the nature of the business,” Campbell told The Post. “The cliché thing to say is, ‘You know what you’re getting when you sign up,’ which is true. But there’s always things you never thought you’d be doing — and being inactive and not playing is definitely something I never thought would be happening.”
The book on Campbell after four seasons with the Colts was that he was often injured but explosive when healthy, as seen in his 681 yards and three touchdowns from scrimmage last season.
He reached 20 miles per hour running on 4.4 percent of his touches from scrimmage — No. 5 among receivers with a minimum of 50 touches — per NextGenStats.
Time for a new chapter because Campbell, 26, isn’t hurt. And he isn’t likely to play a big role again Monday against the Eagles.
“I know I have a lot of football ahead of me,” Campbell said. “This is basically two healthy years back-to-back underneath my belt.”
The norm for players whose roles have been reduced — and who are not playing enough to meet the incentives in their contract — is to sulk around the locker room. Campbell has done the opposite.
“The reason why I’m positive is I’m still in the NFL and a million people would want to be in my shoes,” Campbell said. “In my opinion, [sulking] isn’t really getting you anywhere. You still have a job to do. The people upstairs here are going to talk to the other 31 teams and be like, ‘When Parris was going through this, what was he like in the building?’ ”
Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said he “absolutely” still thinks Campbell maintains his explosiveness. So it remains a bit of a mystery why the Giants weren’t able to maximize his potential beyond 20 catches for 104 yards (65 after the catch) and just two first downs gained.
Campbell actually sought out special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey at midseason to ask for a shot returning kickoffs (23.9 yards per return) like he did at Ohio State and as a Colts rookie.
“Parris is a pro,” Kafka said. “He works his butt off, he studies, he preps, he is great for the room. It was just other guys are playing right now. I think when his time is called, he’ll step up.”
The Giants rank last in the league in passing offense (150.7 yards per game) and second-to-last in scoring (13.5) while using three different starting quarterbacks.
“When I came here, did I think things would be different? Of course,” Campbell said. “But this is a team sport. I would love to be the one getting the ball — I’m a competitor — but that’s not the situation that I’m in right now. Who would I be not to help these young guys out? I’m still having fun with the guys and then when we hit the field, if I see something they can do differently, I’m going to say it. That’s the role I’ve had to take on.”
The experience hasn’t changed how Campbell will approach his second turn at free agency after the season.
“I’m going to do everything the exact same,” he said. “During free agency, the market was kind of slow for receivers, but the Giants gave me an opportunity — and that’s all I want. Yeah, money is nice. Yeah, this or that is nice. This coming offseason, whoever is interested in me and wants to give me an opportunity, I’ll take it.”
Campbell leans on his faith to believe there are brighter days ahead as part of a bigger plan.
“Everything happens for a reason,” he said. “I’m big on that. That’s always going to be the answer for me, whether things are going good or going bad.”
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