{"id":47822,"date":"2018-08-24T08:00:38","date_gmt":"2018-08-24T12:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=47822"},"modified":"2018-08-24T01:02:58","modified_gmt":"2018-08-24T05:02:58","slug":"saquon-barkley-health-giants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/08\/24\/saquon-barkley-health-giants\/","title":{"rendered":"Saquon Barkley\u2019s Health Has to Be Handled With Kit Gloves"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the New York Giants<\/a> gearing up for their rivalry game with the New York Jets<\/a>\u2014 the NFL\u2019s usual dress rehearsal weekend\u2014on Friday night, one conspicuous absence likely to occur will be that of the Giants\u2019 first-round draft pick, Saquon Barkley<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Of course, his likely absence will be of little surprise. Considering Barkley is tending to a balky hamstring injury, Giants’ head coach Pat Shurmur<\/strong> and company are likely to play it safe with their prized rookie running back as his health is a major concern.<\/p>\n

After all, the Giants have so much invested in the number two overall pick of this year’s draft and exposing Barkley to any further injury wouldn\u2019t be in the franchise\u2019s best interests. Along with Odell Beckham<\/a> Jr.<\/strong>, who has still yet to play in a pre-season game while he looks for a new contract, Barkley is just too prized an asset to have him be put in harm\u2019s way in these next couple of weeks.<\/p>\n

Considering we all were witness to Barkley\u2019s awe-inspiring athleticism and game-breaking ability when he rushed for 39 yards on his first ever carry in the Giants\u2019 first pre-season game against Cleveland, we should all have a good grasp on the immediate impact he will have on the Giants\u2019 offense.<\/p>\n

Now is Barkley\u2019s injury concerning?<\/p>\n

Of course, it is.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/MattLombardoNFL\/status\/1032316604921470977<\/p>\n

He strained his hamstring more than a week ago and hasn\u2019t even returned to practice yet. While a long-term absence seems unlikely given the reports coming out of camp, every day missed on the practice field is important reps Barkley could be gaining. Those reps would go a long way in pumping new life into the Giants\u2019 offense and ensuring things will run smoothly when the games count for real.<\/p>\n

It is an issue that can\u2019t be simply swept under the rug.<\/p>\n

Giants\u2019 quarterback Eli Manning<\/a><\/strong> needs to know what he has in Barkley on the field and Manning admitted that Barkley\u2019s absence is a concern.<\/p>\n

More from Pat Leonard of the Daily News<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\u201cNot concerned with Odell (Beckham Jr.), just because we\u2019ve got years of experience and you get a lot of reps in practice; we\u2019ve had game experience together,\u201d Manning said of Beckham\u2019s sitting out two preseason games and counting. \u201cNow Saquon, that\u2019s different, just because he\u2019s a rookie and missing some valuable time. So I know he\u2019s getting mental reps. It\u2019s different than practice reps; it\u2019s different than game reps. Hopefully, he can get back soon.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Shurmur and the Giants are playing the long game here and maximizing the optimal health for Barkley\u2014 along with Beckham\u2014 is of crucial importance in the Giants quest for a rebound season. Heck, wrap Barkley up in bubble wrap if necessary.<\/p>\n

He means that much to the team.<\/p>\n

Granted, a lot of missed time for Barkley in the pre-season is not ideal, as his absence could put the Giants behind the eight ball when it comes to getting a rhythm down. However, for a 2017 season that was railroaded by injuries\u2014 namely Beckham\u2014 keeping all major playmakers healthy, happy and ready for the beginning of the 2018 season is the number one goal when the Giants break camp.<\/p>\n

Again, while the short-term fallout will have its effect on rhythm and chemistry, the long-term health of Barkley is of much more importance moving forward. So while the Giants and their fans will be robbed of watching Barkley in the few weeks remaining of camp,\u00a0to see him fully healthy at MetLife Stadium on September 9 for the Giants Week One opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> is what all Giants\u2019 fans should be amped to see.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>