The Tennessee Titans released running back DeMarco Murray on Thursday afternoon, and the veteran could be an intriguing option for the Giants.

Murray is coming off a subpar season in which he rushed for 659 yards and six touchdowns, while splitting carries in the Titans backfield with Derrick Henry, but is just one year removed from a 1,287 yard and nine touchdown campaign.

Last season, the Giants were led by impending free agent Orleans Darkwa's 751 yards, and Wayne Gallman's 476 and as a team finished ranked just No. 26 in the NFL.

The biggest worry about Murray is the fact that he is coming off of a torn MCL suffered in December, but the injury could keep his price down. The Giants currently have approximately $6.74 million in cap space, following Wednesday's trade for linebacker Alec Ogletree.

One other concern about Murray is the fact that he will be 30 years old when the regular season begins, and running backs tend to have precipitous falls.

It isn't a secret that new Giants general manager Dave Gettleman values the running back position, going so far as to schedule two meetings with Penn State's Saquon Barkley during the NFL Combine, but adding Murray could check one item off his offseason checklist.

Because Murray was released by the Titans, he is free to sign with any other team immediately, and does not have to wait until free agency and the new league year begins on March 14.

If the price is right, the Giants could do far worse than signing Murray to a short-term deal, which would also make the position far less of a priority both during the NFL Draft and when the spending spree of free agency begins next week.

Matt Lombardo may be reached at MLombardo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardoPHL.