Giants running back Saquon Barkley did not appear in the team's preseason opener last week, a 31-22 victory over the Jets.
As far as the rest of the preseason goes, head coach Pat Shurmur is playing his cards close to the vest.
"I think he's getting a heck of a lot of reps in practice," Shurmur told reporters Monday. "I have a plan moving forward. I said this with the quarterbacks, I'll let it reveal itself. I think we'll just have to see."
Barkley had just five preseason carries prior to his rookie season last year, carrying the ball for 43 yards in the team's preseason opener against the Browns, including a 39-yard run on his very first rush. He didn't appear in any games until the regular season began, but still managed to win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and lead the entire league in all-purpose yards.
While Barkley acknowledges the decision on preseason playing time lies with the coaching staff, he's ready to take the field at a moment's notice.
"If you know anything about me, you can ask any of my teammates, I love the game of football," Barkley said. "Every single day, especially in the RB group, we stop and mention how big of a blessing it is to come out here and play the sport that you love."
"There's going to come a time where you miss this game and you miss the grind of camp, so every opportunity you get, why not try to take advantage of it?"
