Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is blown away by the quantity of accidents he’s seen throughout his first season in New York.
“It’s just one of those years where you just walk around shaking your head like, ‘I can’t believe this,’ Martindale said Thursday. “Because you’re playing so many different guys at different spots with the injuries that we’ve had.”
Thursday’s new harm hit the offense: operating again Saquon Barkley popped up as restricted in observe with a neck harm.
It’s Barkley’s first look on the Giants’ official harm report since mid-October, when he was restricted on Oct. 19 and 20 with a proper shoulder harm main right into a highway win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He is predicted to play Sunday when the Giants (7-4-1) host the Philadelphia Eagles (11-1), however it could assist clarify his current nosedive in manufacturing, together with his seven carries for 3 yards in final Sunday’s second half and additional time in opposition to Washington.
Barkley spoke to the media on Thursday earlier than he was added to the harm report.
When he was requested how he was feeling bodily, Barkley stated: “I feel like it’s Week 14 in the season no matter if I had 200 touches or 10 touches. It’s a grind. It’s the wear and tear of the mind, the body. That’s the nature of the NFL but also the beauty of it.”
Barkley stated he has heard the critics of his current play.
“I know people are saying I’m slowing down,” he stated. “I actually don’t see it like that. I believe we’ve performed some robust groups. I believe it’s been November, December soccer and we’ve been taking part in significant video games, going in opposition to some actually good groups they usually’ve been doing a extremely good job.
“Now it’s on my side,” he added. “Where I’ve got to continue to reflect on myself and see what I can do better and take advantage of the opportunities that are out there.”
In equity to Barkley, although, he hasn’t persistently been operating currently like he’s absolutely wholesome.
He stepped out of bounds on one run in opposition to the Commanders moderately than combating for a pair extra yards and turned his physique virtually as if to keep away from contact on the appropriate shoulder that he initially injured on Oct. 9 in London in opposition to the Green Bay Packers.
Interestingly, he isn’t listed with a shoulder harm. The Giants are calling it a neck ailment, the identical designation the crew has given to each defensive deal with Leonard Williams and left guard Josh Ezeudu, who’ve been sitting out practices.
So it goes for one of many NFL’s yearly most injured groups, which was hit with a rash of sprained MCLs and torn ACLs this yr, too.
The Giants have missed a complete of 191 participant video games this season on account of accidents and well being protocols, per ManGamesLost.com, which is tied for third-most within the NFL with the Denver Broncos. Only the Tennessee Titans (204) and New Orleans Saints (203) have missed extra.
From a soccer standpoint, the Giants’ offensive line hasn’t been run-blocking as properly lately, both, which hasn’t helped the trigger. And Barkley’s numbers have plummeted.
He has exceeded 65 speeding yards in solely one of many final 5 video games. And he’s averaging simply 3.3 yards per carry in the course of the Giants’ 1-3-1 stretch, together with 2.7 yards per rush of their three current losses and the tie.
Starting left guard Ben Bredeson (knee) might come off injured reserve on Sunday, which might assist. Perhaps not coincidentally, the Giants’ run recreation principally has fallen off a cliff since he’s been out.
Still, if Barkley’s harm limits his availability or utilization and hampers his manufacturing, that might be an issue not only for Sunday’s recreation however for the Giants’ pivotal Week 15 Sunday Night recreation at Washington, and for his or her push to a playoff berth that appears extra tenuous by the day.
GIANTS INJURY REPORT
Did not take part: CB Adoree Jackson (knee), DL Williams (neck), LG Ezeudu (neck), LG Shane Lemieux (toe). Limited: RB Barkley (neck), CB Nick McCloud (hamstring), CB Darnay Holmes (shoulder), WR Richie James (knee), DL Henry Mondeaux (knee).
EAGLES INJURY REPORT
Did not take part: LB Shaun Bradley (hamstring). Limited: WR Quez Watkins (shoulder), LB Kyzir White (ankle). The Eagles additionally rested 10 wholesome veterans.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com