Saquon Barkley returned from a high-ankle sprain in Week 7 after missing the last three games for the New York Giants.
Big Blue fell 27-21 to the Arizona Cardinals Sunday but it was a step in the right direction for the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Barkley had 18 carries for 72 yards and found the end zone on a seven-yard rush to bring the Giants within three 24-21 with just over eight minutes to play in the fourth quarter.
“In the beginning, I think I tried to do a little too much,” Barkley said. “…But as the game went down, I felt like I settled down in the run game, but I didn’t make enough plays to help my team win. That happens, so you go back and you watch it, you learn from it and move on.”
Giants will need a strong performance from Barkley this weekend as they take on the Detroit Lions Sunday at Ford Field.
Both teams have stumbled coming in, having dropped three straight. The Giants are looking for answers, especially with their offense and rookie quarterback Daniel Jones.
Detroit started the season strong at 2-0-1 before running into the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.
“I’m excited for this week to be able to go out there and get another opportunity to play with my brothers.”
Barkley’s “brother” Sterling Shepard won’t play this week though. He suffered his second concussion in Week 5 and hasn’t played since.
The team did get back tight end Evan Engram last week, who suffered a sprained MCL and missed their Thursday Night Football matchup versus the New England Patriots.
One of the guys who will be waiting for Barkley at the line of scrimmage, Damon “Snacks” Harrison, who spent three seasons with the Giants from 2016-18.
He signed a five-year deal with the team in 2016 worth over $9 million a season.
“He’s a heck of a player,” Barkley said of Harrison “He’s a great player. I know personally, he wanted to get his hands on me since I got here last year, so he’s going to actually get that chance.”
He’s been waiting for his opportunity to go against Barkley, something he couldn’t do when they were teammates.
“I remember last year he said something like, in the beginning when I first got here, that he can’t wait to hit my ‘you know what.’ He always used to joke around here and on Twitter and stuff like that. But he’s Snacks, he’s a great dude.”
Am I the only one getting hungry? I know “Snacks” certainly is. For some Barkley tackles come Sunday afternoon that is…