The New York Giants have been pushing on with minimal offensive support the past few weeks, having lost receivers Sterling Shepard, Wan’Dale Robinson, and tight end Daniel Bellinger. That is not even considering the loss of several offensive linemen, which has impacted the running game and Saquon Barkley‘s efficiency in the meantime.
However, Big Blue is expected to get back one key offensive piece moving forward, Bellinger, who has been dealing with a broken eyesocket since being knocked out against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 7.
Brian Daboll: “I’m optimistic about Daniel Bellinger for Sunday.”
Having healed nicely and sporting a new visor to protect his face, Bellinger projects to insert right back into the mix and help the quarterback Daniel Jones in the red zone. Across seven games, the rookie tight end tallied 152 yards and three total touchdowns, including an 89% catch rate, which is a great sign following years of Evan Engram’s inefficient hands.
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The New York Giants have missed Daniel Bellinger’s presence:
The former San Diego State TE has not only made an impact in the receiving game but also as a run blocker. He served an important purpose in opening lanes for Barkley to exploit, and without him, the star running back has been a shell of his former self.
Saquon was well on his way to having his best season to date, even better than his 2018 campaign as a rookie. However, Barkley has rushed for less than 40 yards in his last two games, with the Giants struggling to open up lanes and provide him with quality service.
The return of Bellinger should help him tremendously, but more so allow him to continue his development. He’s already carved out a nice role for himself in the passing game, but there’s still a lot left to be desired as he continues to grow his route tree and earn trust downfield rather than security blanket options.