If the New York Giants are legitimately on the fence regarding Saquon Barkley’s health in Week 14 against the Philadelphia Eagles, they need to make the cautious decision and sit him before a much more important game against the Washington Commanders next Sunday night.
Barkley has been fighting through a multitude of different injuries the past few weeks, starting with a shoulder issue that has blossomed into a neck that has held him back. Barkley hasn’t cracked 65 rushing yards since Week 10 against the Houston Texans, earning 22 against Detroit, 39 against Dallas, and 63 in last week’s tie against Washington.
Giants RB Saquon Barkley, listed as questionable with a neck injury, is 50-50 to play, per me and MikeGarafolo. He did attend the Saturday walk-through and has expressed optimism that he’ll be out there today. But how he feels this morning will truly determine it.
Via Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
The New York Giants need the best of Saquon Barkley the rest of the way:
Barkley seems to be well on his way toward setting personal records, but the second half of the 2022 season hasn’t gone as planned. He has still breached 1,000 rushing yards for the first time since 2019, recording eight touchdowns and 241 receiving yards across 40 receptions. His numbers seem to be back in the top running back category, but health issues linger, which could stop the Giants from investing big money into the position this upcoming off-season.
Reports have indicated that Barkley was looking for a deal in the Christian McCaffrey realm, but given his polarizing nature, the Giants would likely try to extend him in a deal around $12–13 million instead of $16+ million per season.
At the end of the day, Saquon’s production the rest of the way will give us more information regarding a potential extension. If his numbers continue to flatline, the Giants will have a bit more leverage with their negotiation tactics.