Reduced workload for Giants' Saquon Barkley on Sunday? 'No.'
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 09: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants rushes for a big gain during the NFL match between New York Giants and Green Bay Packers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 09, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images/Stu Forster
Saquon Barkley and Brian Daboll were in sync on an important topic on Thursday.
Both were asked if the running back’s sprained shoulder which has rendered him limited in each of the last two practices could prevent him from carrying a full workload or otherwise hamper him against the Ravens. Both gave the same succinct one-word answer.
“No.”
Barkley will likely wear extra padding on the area as he did when he returned to action following the injury in London and as he had throughout the week of practices.
“I feel pretty good,” Barkley said. “I was able to go back out there and finish the game [on Sunday in London]. I’ve just been rehabbing it, being smart and I’m excited to play against a really good football team.”
Having Barkley at full strength is obviously key to the Giants’ success. He currently leads the NFL in all-purpose yards (676), 46 more than Cleveland running back Nick Chubb and 125 yards more than his nearest competitor in the NFC, Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Thirteen teams have rushed for fewer than Barkley's 533 yards.
“At the end of the day my ultimate goal is to go out there and win games,” Barkley said. “Me being up in those categories I feel like helps the team. That’s more the motivation. I’m all about finding ways to win games. I don’t care about individual stats.”
Gillan back with team
Punter Jamie Gillan, whose visa issue kept him in England for several days after the game there on Sunday, arrived in New Jersey on Wednesday night and was with the team on Thursday. Gillan, a citizen of Scotland, said the hardest part of the situation was not flying back with the team after the big win. Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey said the team had “contingency plans” in case Gillan did not make it back in time for Sunday’s game against Baltimore. The Giants would have likely signed a punter rather than ask kicker Graham Gano to handle that duty.
Extra points
Backup QB Tyrod Taylor cleared the concussion protocol and will be available Sunday . . . Tight end Tanner Hudson did not practice Thursday because of an illness and linebacker Jihad Ward was given a day off from practice reps as a veteran maintenance day.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
