New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley is facing significant challenges due to his ongoing injury, making him one of the most frustrated players in terms of contract negotiations. After wrapping up an injury-marred season, the Giants player again discovered his existence in the injury list that already kept him away in some of the team’s games.
Coming off a season with a franchise tag, Barkley’s aspiration to have a prosperous tenure in New York may be hindered by his recurring ankle injuries.
Barkley continues to grapple with the lingering effects of the ankle injury
Saquon Barkley continues to struggle with the ankle ailment this season after missing three games previously because of a high ankle sprain, per Sportskeeda. The running back’s ankle swelled following the game in Week 2 when his team defeated the Arizona Cardinals.
That injury caused him to miss three games, but it seems like it’s still affecting him because he injured his right ankle near the end of the Dallas Cowboys’ upset loss to the team last week. He was observed with bandages on his ankle during last week’s game.
Barkley sustained a right ankle injury in 2019, which resulted in him missing three games that year. A recurrence of his left ankle injury in 2021 again forced him to miss four games.
Following the latest injury, the 26-year-old remained a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday and was not listed as injured.
Though it is unlikely that the Jets will bench him, the injuries will surely exert some influence on his footing.
Saquon Barkley dismisses notions of loyalty in the NFL
Apart from his injuries and on-field performance, Saquon Barkley garnered attention, being among the running backs who voiced their frustration for the declining market of running backs.
Prior to his involvement in this bold activity, the Giants were seemingly not interested in their running back. They reportedly put a $10.1 million establishment tag on the running back in Walk. As he refused to sign the tag and expressed his discontent, the Giants later offered him a one-year deal worth $10.1 million this season plus $900,000 in incentives.
Though the player is still playing for the Giants, following the frustrating timing, he no longer feels loyal to the team. He openly admitted the fact while confronting the reporter’s questions on Saturday. For him, everything between him and the Giants is merely a business that they will carry on till the end of their contract.
“Loyalty means nothing. Loyalty, that don’t mean nothing. No matter how loyal, no matter how committed you are, it’s a business at the end of the day. That is something that I have learned.”
Amid his low-valued contract, the Giants did not shy away from adorning their quarterback Daniel Jones with a $160 million deal. It also serves as another crucial point behind the running back’s loss of trust in his team.
The Giants, sitting at 2-8, will square off against the Washington Commanders. Barkley is assumed to take his spot in spite of his injury issues.
Do you think the Giants’ losing run will be halted by a convincing win over the Commanders?
