Why Saquon Barkley Doesn't Want to be Shut Down for Rest of Season

Although running back Saquon Barkley isn't 100%, he's very adamant about fighting through his physical ailments and in trying to help his team snap its six-game skid after the team returns from the bye week.

Giants running back Saquon Barkley doesn’t want to hear any talk about being shut down for the rest of the season.

“I do not agree with that idea at all,” he said on Tuesday. “The mindset of sitting me out and resting me for the rest of the season is beyond me.”

Barkley, who prides himself on taking every practice rep and every game rep, thinks that even the thought of him being shut down for the rest of the year is unfair to his teammates, even if it means that he might end up shortening his career. 

“When I think of the great running backs who played, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Thomas Jones, Curtis Martin, Matt Forte, yes, they had injuries throughout their career. Those guys were able to withstand a bigger workload back in the day than what we have now. 

“Yes, you might get 300 touches, but your 300 touches might come with 250 carries and 50 catches. Back in those days, Walter Payton, in his second year, had like 347 carries in 14 games and was able to have a long career and a great career. I’m not saying I want to put myself up to those standards because they are the best to ever do it and Hall of Famers. The way they were able to carry that workload and be able to have a successful career is the way I know I want to operate.” 

Despite Barkley’s iron will, he is also human. And despite his best attempts to convince people that he’s perfectly fine, the eye test would indicate otherwise.

His pass blocking has significantly regressed to the point where it’s a liability for his team, an occurrence that is no doubt related to his still healing high ankle sprain suffered in Week 3.

And against the Jets Sunday, who limited him to one rushing yard on 13 carries, Barkley also got so banged up that he had to have tests done on one of his shoulders, tests that came back negative.

But Barkley insists that he feels very much like himself and that his struggles are not to be blamed on his physical condition. 

“To say that I’m not healthy, that’s just an excuse,” he said. “Everyone is banged up, everyone is going through something, and I’m not going to let that be an excuse for why I’m not having a successful season. The reason I’m not having a successful season is because I’m not making enough plays for my team.”

What Barkley has been able to do is make plays in space when given those opportunities. He has 258 receiving yards on 33 receptions and one touchdown, his longest catch being 65 yards.

“I feel like when you see me get in open space, I still was making people miss,” he said. “Last week against Dallas, they were doing a really good job of shutting me down, but I got in open space, and I still felt fast on that screen. Obviously, we didn’t score on that, but I still felt fast enough to get a 65-yard explosive play. The opportunities I have to take advantage of the opportunities I get.”

He won’t be able to take advantage of the opportunities he doesn’t get, and if he’s shut down, well, he can forget about contributing.

That’s why Barkley is so adamant about not being shut down. 

“I do not agree with it, and it won’t happen,” he said. “I’m going to keep going until I can’t go anymore. That’s the type of player I am, and I’m going to do it for my teammates.” 

To make sure he does, Barkley isn’t planning on taking much time off once the players are dismissed for the rest of the bye week following their Wednesday practice. 

“Mentally, I am still going to stay in it with, watching film and just reflecting on the game and reflecting on myself,” he said. 

“I was able to have a good sit-down talk with my father and my family, and they gave me a lot of great advice to get myself back into it. This week, I’m going to focus on watching film and the opportunities we get in practice, take advantage, like watching film of myself. 

And when he comes back to work next Monday, it’s going to be with an even sharper attitude. 

“I can get back to who I am and have that mindset, no matter what happened the first half of the season, last week, I am the best player on the field and when I touch the ball I make things happen. I’m going to get back to that.”