Big Blue View - Saquon Barkley injury: Everything we knowYour place for year-round New York Giants discussion and informationhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47371/bigblueview_fave.png2020-10-30T08:56:02-04:00http://www.bigblueview.com/rss/stream/212123432020-10-30T08:56:02-04:002020-10-30T08:56:02-04:00Saquon Barkley knee surgery will be done on Friday
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<figcaption>Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Giants’ star to get torn ACL repaired</p> <p id="SzgnQv"><a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> star running back <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/11/4/20948384/saquon-barkley-fantasy-football-injury-trade-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Saquon Barkley</a> is set to have surgery to repair his torn ACL on Friday in Los Angeles, per multiple reports. The surgery comes more than a month after <span>Barkley</span> suffered his injury in a Week 2 game against the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a>.</p>
<p id="6Vfpay">Jordan Ranaan of ESPN reported that the surgery will include “<a href="https://twitter.com/JordanRaanan/status/1322153404551016450">some meniscus cleanup</a>.”</p>
<p id="s55wHm">Dr. Kyle Flik, an orthopedic surgeon in New York’s Capital Region who has been a team physician for several Albany area minor league teams, told Big Blue View after <span>Barkley</span>’s injury that waiting several weeks for swelling and inflammation to calm down in the injured knee is <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/9/24/21454220/doctor-saquon-barkley-injury-90-percent-chance-of-returning-at-same-level">considered the best practice</a>.</p>
<p id="YWmzQF">“We learned many, many years ago, mainly from the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo. where people would be out there skiing and they would tear their ACL and the doctors out there would convince them to stay and have their surgery. Those surgeries were done during what I would call the acute phase, meaning very shortly after the injury within a few days. A lot of those patients got very, very stiff.</p>
<p id="l72MUq">“So, what we’ve learned is that if you let the knee calm down a little bit, let the swelling subside, let that initial inflammation settle down and then do the reconstruction a few weeks later, two or three weeks, that those patients usually do better.”</p>
<p id="ox7xJc"><span>Barkley</span>’s surgery has also been reportedly delayed because the physician performing the surgery, Dr. Neal ElAttrache — the head team physician for the Dodgers and the NFL’s <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Rams</a> — <a href="https://nypost.com/2020/10/23/saquon-barkleys-knee-surgery-held-up-due-to-world-series-bubble/">was in Major League Baseball’s bubble</a> until the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> ended earlier this week.</p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/10/30/21541764/saquon-barkley-knee-surgery-friday-ny-giantsEd Valentine2020-09-24T10:39:14-04:002020-09-24T10:39:14-04:00Doctor: Saquon Barkley has 90 percent chance of returning at same level
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<figcaption>Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Only a small chance of long-term issues for star running back</p> <p id="lvNv4R"><a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> star <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/11/4/20948384/saquon-barkley-fantasy-football-injury-trade-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Saquon Barkley</a> has a 90 percent chance of returning from his torn ACL with no drop off in athleticism or explosiveness, according to Dr. Kyle Flik, an orthopedic surgeon in New York’s Capital Region.</p>
<p id="pfOFet">“I would bet that he’s got a 90 percent chance of returning and returning at the same level,” Flik told me. “That explosivenes is more due to his raw talent and strength. You don’t need an ACL to be explosive, to be honest. You do need it to be able to have a stable knee, to cut and pivot on. A reconstructed ACL can be just as strong as the native one.</p>
<p id="sczBH9">“I wouldn’t be overly worried about that.”</p>
<p id="9OrtZ6">Initial reports this week were that doctors at the Hospital for Special Surgery will wait as much as two to four weeks before performing reconstructive surgery on the ACL. Flik, who obviously has not seen the imaging of <span>Barkley</span>’s knee or treated him, did study at HSS and believes waiting is the best course of action.</p>
<p id="vkkWLT">“I know those doctors there and I know their thought process,” Flik said.</p>
<p id="YWmzQF">“We learned many, many years ago, mainly from the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo. where people would be out there skiing and they would tear their ACL and the doctors out there would convince them to stay and have their surgery. Those surgeries were done during what I would call the acute phase, meaning very shortly after the injury within a few days. A lot of those patients got very, very stiff. </p>
<p id="l72MUq">“So, what we’ve learned is that if you let the knee calm down a little bit, let the swelling subside, let that initial inflammation settle down and then do the reconstruction a few weeks later, two or three weeks, that those patients usually do better.”</p>
<p id="fgX57e"><span>Barkley</span> also suffered a partially torn meniscus and strained MCL. If <span>Barkley</span> is going to have any long-term issues with the knee, Flik believes it could come from those ancillary injuries. Especially the meniscus.</p>
<p id="CKbXl3">“If he’s going to have an issue it’s that at the time of an ACL injury there’s come concomitant injuries, there’s usually some other injuries,” Flik said. “If it’s just an MCL that’s not a big deal, but a meniscus injury or cartilage injury — those affect people in a way that makes it a much more significant injury. Not that he won’t be able to get some more years in as a player, but it affects the future of his knee more in terms of the risk for arthritis and that kind of thing.”</p>
<p id="yZbOt3">[<a href="https://orthony.com/providers/kyle-r-flik-md/">Dr. Flik’s bio</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dr_kyleflik/">Dr. Flik’s Instagram page</a>]</p>
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https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/9/24/21454220/doctor-saquon-barkley-injury-90-percent-chance-of-returning-at-same-levelEd Valentine2020-09-23T08:32:38-04:002020-09-23T08:32:38-04:00Film Study: What can Devonta Freeman bring to the New York Giants?
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<figcaption>Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Veteran running back adds experience, varied skill set</p> <p id="mOsUnE">The <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> are expected to sign former <a href="https://www.thefalcoholic.com/">Atlanta Falcons</a>’ running back <span>Devonta Freeman</span> to a one-year, $3 million deal following the torn ACL from star running back <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/11/4/20948384/saquon-barkley-fantasy-football-injury-trade-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Saquon Barkley</a>. <span>Freeman</span> was drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>, and he was once a premier running back in the NFL under the tutelage of then offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who is now the head coach of his first opponent as a Giant - the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a>. </p>
<p id="UMjVdC"><span>Freeman</span> has rushed for 3,972 yards on 951 attempts (4.2 YPC) with 257 receptions on 323 targets for 2015 yards. As far as pay dirt goes, <span>Freeman</span> has 32 touchdowns on the ground and 11 through the air. He’s had two 11 rushing touchdown seasons, but 2019 wasn’t all that great for the former star running back.</p>
<p id="doKerK">The former Florida State Seminole struggled all season, playing in 14 games with little success. He had 656 yards on 184 attempts, and 410 yards on 59 catches, while only finding the endzone twice on the ground, and four times through the air. The struggles were compounded by a mediocre team and young offensive line that had two rookies starting.</p>
<p id="JzMDOv"><span>Freeman</span> has a long history of injuries as well; he missed all but two games in 2018 with a foot bruise and a sports hernia that required season ending surgery. He’s also had three documented concussions, a PCL & MCL sprain, and a few other injuries.</p>
<p id="HELW6a">Although it seems like <span>Freeman</span> has lost a bit of explosiveness, that does not mean he’s not a valuable asset. <span>Freeman</span> has excellent vision running through the tackles, and his shorter stature gives him a better center of gravity to break through arm tackles, and it also disguises him as he hits holes coming downhill.</p>
<h2 id="4VIlSC">Let’s go to the film.</h2>
<p id="WeTyiq">(<em>All plays are 2019 </em><span><em>Devonta Freeman</em></span>) </p>
<div id="5YYde4"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.092%;"><iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/ZmVCVJbb4GVy2DJwrv" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="9chn6m">From a split back formation, Freeman takes the handoff, shows patience, and then navigates through tight gaps to find a crease in the defense and bounce outside. Freeman waits for his blocks to develop, almost commits off the right tackles backside, but decides to hit in between the guard and tackle who are blocking down. He then showcases his physicality, breaks an arm tackle, and picks up a few yards. </p>
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<p id="YXt8Fy">This is a run from under center in 21 personnel. Freeman uses great vision to see the A-Gap open up, and then he cuts into the A-Gap off the butt of his fullback. The <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a> provide a good hole for Freeman who does a good job locating the correct running lane, lowering his shoulder, and getting a big chunk of yardage to help seal the victory. </p>
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<p id="XJv7Yd">Freeman does a great job running out of the shotgun and he showcases it on the play above. It’s a shotgun, split-zone, inside run and Freeman is able to jump-cut through a hole off the backside of the center. It’s a great reactionary run where Freeman is very decisive.</p>
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<p id="GANzci">To the field, the Falcons line up in a weak off-set I formation and run a halfback pitch; the blocking does a solid job opening up holes as the play side offensive line stretches horizontally, and the back side guard did a good job cutting <span>Vita Vea</span> (50) at the line of scrimmage to not allow a pursuit defender. Freeman’s patience to wait for the defenders in front of him to over pursue into his blockers is excellent as well; he waits till the last second before cutting north to south. By that point, the three defenders in front of him overpursue and can’t make a realistic tackle attempt. </p>
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<p id="c866km">Now we can see his excellent vision from a normal I formation inside zone run to the field side B-Gap. He subtly cuts a bit inside away from the reaching <span>Luke Kuechly</span> (59) who is being blocked by the lead fullback. Once Freeman crosses the fullback’s block, he sees <span>Russell Gage</span> (83) gain outside leverage on his blocking assignment, so Freeman bounces outside and cuts back inside of <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20841614/julio-jones-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Julio Jones</a>’ (11) block for a touchdown. </p>
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<p id="sFFP2z">Here’s another shotgun stretch zone run where Freeman shows excellent ability to adjust to what he sees near the line of scrimmage. He sees the end man on the line of scrimmage crashing the B-Gap, so he shows solid stop/start ability to jump cut outside and away from one defender, and then another defender appears and he jump cuts back inside. Then he re-accelerates, lowers his shoulder, and finishes the run with toughness and physicality. </p>
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<p id="qFIU83">There’s a reason why Freeman saw so many targets in Atlanta, despite the team using a two-back system, and that’s because Freeman is a good receiving back. Above, we see Freeman to the boundary separate, and surprise, a linebacker who attempts to cover his wheel route. Freeman has good positioning for the pass <span>Matt Ryan</span> throws; Freeman adjusts to the back shoulder throw, leaps, and makes a tough catch along the sidelines. </p>
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<p id="GJQurO">Good natural hands above on the angle route (<em>a route I wish </em><a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/"><em>Giants</em></a><em> would use more often</em>). The defender executes poorly on the coverage, but Freeman still gets in and out of his break to make a good strong hands catch over the middle of the field. Freeman is an excellent check down option in the short passing game, and can frequently be found in the flats. I hope Jason Garrett finds ways to use him like the two clips above as well. </p>
<h2 id="PQFwUT">Final thoughts</h2>
<p id="S8o3Ui">The two-time Pro-Bowl running back will be valuable to this 2020 New York Giants football team. He’ll be slowly incorporated into Garrett’s system while Wayne Gallman and <span>Dion Lewis</span> are used in a three-headed backfield. If Gallman doesn’t show much in the next three weeks against the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a>, <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Rams</a>, and <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a>, then I can see Freeman becoming the majority leader in touches. As of now, I expect <span>Lewis</span> to be used on passing downs while Freeman and Gallman work earlier downs, and will also be used a bit in passing situations. </p>
<p id="AIXQPj">I like the signing. It’s a one-year rental that’s not expensive for a veteran running back who is good between the tackles and in space, while having some upside as a receiver, too. He’s declined athletically, but he’s a much different player than Lewis, and he’s much more experienced than Gallman. Freeman also took less money to play with the Giants, so he’s definitely excited about this opportunity. One thing is for certain, though ... the Giants have to figure out how to win in the rushing attack with this offensive line. If they don’t, this signing will not be maximized and winning games will be very hard to come by for this rookie head coach, and this second-year quarterback. </p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/9/23/21452119/film-study-what-can-devonta-freeman-bring-to-the-new-york-giantsNick Falato2020-09-21T15:53:37-04:002020-09-21T15:53:37-04:00Saquon Barkley injury: Giants confirm torn ACL
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<p>As expected, star running back’s season is over</p> <p id="gutXY4">The <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> on Monday confirmed that star running back <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/11/4/20948384/saquon-barkley-fantasy-football-injury-trade-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Saquon Barkley</a> suffered a torn ACL of his right knee in Sunday’s game against the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a>. <span>Barkley</span> will have surgery “in the near future” to repair the injury.</p>
<p id="bWAy6J">This was the result that had been expected per the information that had been coming since <span>Barkley</span> went down and grabbed at his knee early in the second quarter. <span>Barkley</span> underwent an MRI on Monday morning at the Hospital for Special Surgery.</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="zGDBIu"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Saquon Barkley injury changes landscape for New York Giants","url":"https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/9/21/21448819/saquon-barkley-injury-changes-landscape-for-new-york-giants-dave-gettleman-joe-judge"}]}'></div></aside></div>
<p id="CuvMZf">Left unsaid by the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a> was the reality that this ends Barkley’s 2020 season, and he will be placed on IR.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Full details on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Giants?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Giants</a> RB Saquon Barkley’s knee: He tore his ACL, partial tore his meniscus and has a strained MCL (which won’t have to be fixed in surgery). That means in 2-4 weeks he’ll have surgery to allow swelling and inflammation to go down.</p>— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1308131292278652935?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2020</a>
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<p id="EDRnS9">Barkley ran four times Sunday for 28 yards, and had just had runs of 18 and 6 yards.</p>
<p id="79BQWT">The Giants have running backs <span>Dion Lewis</span> and Wayne Gallman on the active roster. They have veteran <span>Rod Smith</span> on the practice squad and are reportedly set to work out free agent <span>Devonta Freeman</span>.</p>
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https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/9/21/21449216/saquon-barkley-injury-ny-giants-confirm-torn-acl-mri-surgeryEd Valentine2020-09-21T09:38:52-04:002020-09-21T09:38:52-04:00Saquon Barkley injury changes landscape for New York Giants
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<figcaption>This is the play on which Saquon Barkley was injured. | Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>There are short- and long-term questions raised by Barkley’s injury</p> <p id="VhRZku">The <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/11/4/20948384/saquon-barkley-fantasy-football-injury-trade-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Saquon Barkley</a> injury is a seminal moment for the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>, impacting both the 2020 version as well as perhaps having long-term ramifications.</p>
<p id="pQpSUf">Let’s start with this. The Giants on confirmed the diagnoses of a torn ACL, meaning Barkley will have surgery and is done for the season.</p>
<p id="UL98W1">So many thoughts race through your head in the wake of the injury. </p>
<h2 id="7N8wwX">Short term</h2>
<p id="mxwgB2"><strong>What is the impact on the Giants’ offense?</strong> They nearly pulled off a come-from-behind victory on Sunday thanks in large part to a quality second-half performance by Daniel Jones. But, Jones remains a second-year quarterback who will need some type of running game week-in and week-out to have a chance to succeed.</p>
<p id="MgfQgH">I have long been a believer that you don’t need a superstar running back to have a solid rushing attack. You need quality run-blocking, good play-calling, capable backs and a commitment to the run. </p>
<p id="nPvZRq">That theory is about to be tested. The Giants, after an awful run-blocking game against the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> in Week 1, did make some progress Sunday. Take away three scrambles by Jones and the Giants ran 15 times for 54 yards. Not great, but an OK 3.6 yards per carry with just two negative plays.</p>
<p id="8m5zpS">Can Dion Lewis and Wayne Gallman carry the load? How much and how quickly will <span>Devonta Freeman</span> help if the Giants are able to sign him?</p>
<p id="FgQlrZ"><strong>Does this change expectations for 2020?</strong> Barkley is/was the Giants’ best player. Easily. No argument. Still, and this is in no way his fault, the Giants haven’t been good with him. Whatever the record ends up being, this season was always about the Giants being better at the end than the beginning and feeling like they are finally climbing out of the hole they have been in for most of the last eight years.</p>
<p id="HnL2Mi">It’s hard right now not to feel like the world has come crashing down and that the season is, and the Giants are as a whole, a disaster. Still, those expectations probably don’t change. This makes the challenge of Judge’s rookie season even greater, but it remains possible to come out of the 2020 season feeling better about the team’s direction.</p>
<p id="cIwFWE"><strong>How do we judge Dave Gettleman?</strong> This is probably part short- and part long-term. Can the roster Gettleman built play competitive without its best player? How do you judge Gettleman’s work with Barkley sidelined? Long term, how do you judge whether Gettleman deserves to stay or go after this season with Barkley, the centerpiece of the Giants’ offense, sidelined?</p>
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<h2 id="zmnZIY">Long term</h2>
<p id="mCAMHA"><strong>First, let’s talk about the injury.</strong> The doom and gloom that Barkley’s career is over or that he can never be a great player again is foolish.</p>
<p id="6SSIWr"><span>Adrian Peterson</span> gained 2,097 yards rushing in 2012. That is after suffering a devasting injury in Week 16 of the 2011 season in which he tore the ACL, MCL and meniscus in his right knee. At 35, Peterson is still playing at a high level.</p>
<p id="9UFxM2"><a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20841675/nick-chubb-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Nick Chubb</a> tore the PCL, MCL and LCL in his left knee while also dislocating the knee and suffering cartilage damage as a college player in 2015. He gained 1,494 yards rushing for the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> last season and is considered by some the league’s best running back.</p>
<p id="LAIsUp">To just write Barkley off is ridiculous. That said, the success of Peterson and <span>Chubb</span> doesn’t guarantee a return to glory for Barkley. It does, though, put an obvious question there. We need to see it.</p>
<p id="YK2ZjO">Which brings us to the other question.</p>
<p id="mdncVG">Money.</p>
<p id="1Bfmmv"><strong>What do Barkley and the Giants do now?</strong></p>
<p id="PV5vVY">This is Barkley’s third season. It’s becoming standard practice for top tier running backs to look to get paid after three seasons of their four-year rookie contracts. It was expected that Barkley would look to follow suit at the end of this season.</p>
<p id="ac7Gcb">Can Barkley and his agent, Kim Miale, actually do that now? </p>
<p id="bHULYf">If they do, can the Giants actually fork over a big-money deal without getting Barkley back on the field? Paying Barkley big money going forward is fine if he is prime Peterson or <span>Chubb</span>. If he’s <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/31/20842033/todd-gurley-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Todd Gurley</a>? Not so much.</p>
<p id="gmSccz">A massive financial investment is exceptionally risky if the Giants aren’t sure what they are getting in return.</p>
<p id="risLfW">So, lot of questions today. Answers? Those are to be determined.</p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/9/21/21448819/saquon-barkley-injury-changes-landscape-for-new-york-giants-dave-gettleman-joe-judgeEd Valentine2020-09-21T08:44:37-04:002020-09-21T08:44:37-04:00New York Giants to work out running back Devonta Freeman
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<p>The Giants could bring in the former Falcon in wake of Saquon Brkley injury</p> <p id="oiqUdQ">Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network is reporting that the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> are bringing in former <a href="https://www.thefalcoholic.com/">Atlanta Falcons</a> running back <span>Devonta Freeman</span> for a workout. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">With the likely season-ending injury to Saquon Barkley, the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Giants?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Giants</a> are bringing in reinforcements. Source says they plan to visit with and workout FA RB Devonta Freeman. The former <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcons?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Falcons</a> star spent the weekend with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Eagles?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Eagles</a> and should be with NYG today.</p>— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1307981646172389377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2020</a>
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<p id="6TvDXC"><span>Freeman</span> is, by far, the top running back on the market, and it makes absolute sense for the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a> to bring him in for a visit and workout following the devastating injury to <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/11/4/20948384/saquon-barkley-fantasy-football-injury-trade-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Saquon Barkley</a>. </p>
<p id="hPXJJz">The Giants could try to make due with a platoon of <span>Wayne Gallman Jr.</span> and <span>Dion Lewis</span>, but <span>Lewis</span> is limited as a runner and Gallman is a runner who will pick up what is blocked for him. </p>
<p id="b34GGK">At his best, <span>Freeman</span> is a complete back who is a threat as a runner and receiver. He was originally drafted by the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a> in the 4th round of the 2014 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>, and quickly became a pivotal piece in Atlanta’s offense. His best year came in 2016 when he averaged 4.8 yards per carry on 227 carries, picking up 1,079 yards and 11 touchdowns, as well as catching 54 passes for 462 yards (8.6 yards per catch) and another 2 touchdowns.</p>
<p id="d2SSFY"><span>Freeman</span> does come with some injury concern, losing his 2018 season to a sports hernia after two games, as well as suffering PCL and MCL sprains in 2017 and a pedal foot sprain in 2019. </p>
<p id="UXACXv">The Falcons made <span>Freeman</span> the NFL’s (then) highest-paid running back in 2017, signing him to a five-year, $41.25 million contract extension. The team cut him in March of 2020 with three years remaining on his deal in a move to create room under the salary cap in advance of free agency. </p>
<p id="BuzvbB"><span>Freeman</span> might not be an inexpensive signing for the Giants, and at one time he said that he is willing to sit out the 2020 season, and is reportedly looking for a contract in the neighborhood of $4 million for one year. The Giants have the room to sign <span>Freeman</span>, with approximately $15.951 million in cap space, per the league’s public salary cap report. However, the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> being involved complicates matters, as they have $27.445 million in cap space and are under much more pressure to “win now” than the Giants.</p>
<p id="wVcju4">Freeman was in Philadelphia over the weekend and is <a href="https://twitter.com/art_stapleton/status/1308020960516243457">expected to begin COVID-19 testing with the Giants on Monday</a> and work out for the team on Tuesday.</p>
<p id="KwMfy0">Stay with Big Blue View as we bring you the latest on <span>Freeman</span>, as well as <span>Saquon Barkley</span>’s injury.</p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/9/21/21448802/2020-ny-giants-free-agency-rumors-news-devonta-freeman-workout-saquon-barkley-injuryChris Pflum2020-09-20T19:12:40-04:002020-09-20T19:12:40-04:00Saquon Barkley injury: New York Giants players react
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<figcaption>Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>“Everybody’s gotta step up” in effort to replace star running back</p> <p id="Dm5uLV">The present landscape of the New York Giants changed drastically on Sunday when Saquon Barkley suffered what is <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/9/20/21447836/saquon-barkley-injury-giants-star-running-back-carted-off-vs-chicago-bears">believed to be a torn right ACL</a>. Here is how teammates who spoke to media via videoconference after the game reacted to the injury.</p>
<p id="npRrmz">Veteran running back Dion Lewis carried 10 times for 20 yards and a touchdown and caught 4 passes for 36 more yards in Barkley’s absence.</p>
<p id="wFJmss">“I spoke with him. I just told him to keep his head up, stay positive, believe in God. Nobody knows what’s really going on right now, so just try to keep his head up,” Lewis said. “He’s a great kid, and we’ve grown extremely close since I’ve been here, so you know, definitely feel for him.”</p>
<p id="EIHB5W">Lewis knows that the Giants will have to employ a committee approach to replace Barkley. That means Lewis, Wayne Gallman, Elijhaa Penny and perhaps veteran Rod Smith, currently on the practice squad, among running backs. The rest of the roster as well.</p>
<p id="zXrM3g">“It’s going to take all of us. We got Wayne (Gallman), myself, we all gotta step up. Obviously, you know, Saquon (Barkley) is one of the best running backs in this league, so nobody’s going to be able to do what he does, what he’s done. We gotta do what we can do, be ourselves, and do whatever the coaches ask us to do and work hard every day,” Lewis said. \</p>
<p id="FCftLk">“I mean, he’s Saquon Barkley, so you lose a guy like that, it’s a huge loss. But you know, as a team, everybody’s gotta step up. Receivers gotta step up, O-line’s gotta step up, running backs have gotta step up, quarterback’s gotta step up, defense has gotta step up, everybody has gotta step up. It’s not going to be one person who steps up to make up for what he’s done, it’s going to take all of us.”</p>
<p id="4WpT2z"> Lewis, who turns 30 in a week, could become the team’s primary back.</p>
<p id="EfPIJs">“I’m not sure. I’m going to keep working like I always work, take the same approach in practice like I always do, prepare like I’m going to be in there every play, and just stay ready,” he said. “That’s how I’ve gone throughout my whole career, just always stay ready, prepare like I’m going to be the guy in there every play even (though) most of the time I’m not. So, I’m just going to keep doing what I’ve been doing, and whatever the coaches want me to do, I’m going to do it.”</p>
<p id="qV6V2I">Quarterback Daniel Jones ended Sunday with 25 completions in 40 attempts for 241 yards.</p>
<p id="CB2wIc">“Definitely tough to see anyone go down, especially a guy that works as hard as Saquon does,” Jones said. “And, you know, we don’t know what it is yet, but certainly keeping our thoughts and prayers with him. He’s a guy that comes to work every day. I know he’ll attack any challenge, and we’re all here to support him. So, yeah, always tough to see a teammate go down.”</p>
<p id="bTThog">How will that change the Giants’ offense?</p>
<p id="MKpVJ1">“I don’t think anyone knows exactly what the injury is or what that sets us up for. So dealing in hypotheticals right now isn’t the most productive thing,” Jones said. “But whatever it is, we’ll respond as a team and do the best we can going forward.”</p>
<p id="NyuZKY">Defensive captain Blake Martinez said watching Barkley go down was a “tough moment” for everyone.</p>
<p id="sr5BCA">“Any time a player goes down on the team - it’s one of the guys you worked with through training camp and you work through the first game and all those moments grinding together - so it’s definitely a tough moment,” Martinez said. “He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve seen. So to have that moment happen, it was definitely tough.”</p>
<p id="g4YPsq">Cornerback James Bradberry summed up pretty much how everyone feels in the wake of Barkley’s injury.</p>
<p id="G4BoiO">“Of course, your heart stops for a minute, but we really don’t know the verdict of Saquon’s injury right now, so prayers up to him and we’re hoping for the best,” he said.</p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/9/20/21448255/saquon-barkley-injury-torn-acl-new-york-giants-players-react-dion-lewis-daniel-jonesEd Valentine2020-09-20T17:37:33-04:002020-09-20T17:37:33-04:00Saquon Barkley injury: Torn ACL for Giants’ star running back?
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<figcaption>Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Barkley has right leg injury</p> <p id="iTq4zR"><a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> star running back <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/11/4/20948384/saquon-barkley-fantasy-football-injury-trade-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Saquon Barkley</a> was helped off the field unable to put weight on his right leg after a carry with 14:52 left in Sunday’s second quarter against the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a>.</p>
<p id="ulOG6f">CBS reported near the end of Sunday’s game that “multiple reports” have indicated a torn ACL for Barkley. That, of course, would be season-ending.</p>
<p id="5AlgGI">Here is more from Ian Rapoport.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Giants?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Giants</a> RB Saquon Barkley suffered an ACL tear, based on the manual tests and initial diagnosis, source said. He’ll have an MRI to tell the full story, but the belief is the star is done for the season. Coach Joe Judge said they are holding out hope.</p>— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1307781946605547520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2020</a>
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<p id="lhpuGx">After the game, coach Joe Judge wouldn’t confirm the seriousness of Barkley’s injury, saying “I don’t have a diagnosis” and that the Giants are “praying for the best” with him.</p>
<p id="IhZanK">“I wouldn’t fall asleep on 26, it’s gonna be a hell of a story either way,” Judge said.</p>
<p id="e9kArc"><span>Barkley</span> was hurt on the first play of the second quarter at the end of a 6-yard run. </p>
<p id="MwCewq">Two plays earlier, <span>Barkley</span> had run for 18 yards.</p>
<p id="5uCPd4">Per the CBS broadcast, Barkley is out for the remainder of the game and will undergo further evaluation on Monday.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"I think all three are ACL injuries." - PFF Injury Analyst <a href="https://twitter.com/mario_pilato?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mario_pilato</a> on Saquon Barkley, Nick Bosa, and Parris Campbell <a href="https://t.co/BDc9Ezrki0">pic.twitter.com/BDc9Ezrki0</a></p>— PFF (@PFF) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1307743375337099266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2020</a>
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<p id="QURTD4">Dr. David Chao, former NFL team physician, <a href="https://profootballdoc.com/#/">wrote on his website</a> that Barkley is likely done for the year with a torn right ACL.</p>
<p id="QJdoqc">Backup running back Wayne Gallman is inactive Sunday. That leaves the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a> with only <span>Dion Lewis</span> and <span>Elijhaa Penny</span> as backup running backs.</p>
<p id="jb0Jit">Barkley missed three games a season ago and was limited in several others by a high ankle sprain.</p>
<p id="c9Faoi"><span>Barkley</span> was carted to the locker room with what the CBS broadcast said could be a right knee injury.</p>
<h2 id="YinFiq">More injuries</h2>
<p id="DQVQce">The Giants lost Sterling Shepard with a <a href="https://twitter.com/NYGsalomone/status/1307753049897816073">toe injury</a>. He played one play in the second half before coming out.</p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/9/20/21447836/saquon-barkley-injury-giants-star-running-back-carted-off-vs-chicago-bearsEd Valentine