Getty Image / Al Bello
Saquon Barkley is coming off of the worst rushing performance of his young career, by far, after rushing for just one yard on 13 attempts against the Jets.
Even though he’s battled injuries this season, Barkley’s numbers this year have been far from stellar. After averaging five yards per carry a season ago, he’s averaging just four this season on 101 rushing attempts. He also has just three touchdowns in his seven games played after scoring 15 times a year ago.
It’s tough to call it a second-year slump for Barkley after he was forced to miss three games with an ankle injury, but things just haven’t looked right this year.
Barkley even admitted to the media that he hasn’t necessarily been himself as of late. This week the Giants take on the Bears and we all know what happened the last time Barkley got a shot at the Chicago defense.
Hurdling over players has been a part of Barkley’s game for forever pretty much. We even saw it during his college days at Penn State and this week he hinted that he’ll be looking to get back to having fun which includes jumping over defenders again.
“I haven’t jumped over a guy yet this year, he told The New York Post. Thank you for reminding me. I have to hurdle someone this week,’’ Barkley said, smiling. “Go back to having fun.’’
With a bye last week, Barkley had some extra time to watch and reflect on his film after his poor outing against the Jets and now he simply wants to get back to being himself.
“That’s where I felt watching film of myself, I allowed, I don’t know what it was, for me not to be me,’’ Barkley said. “I don’t care, that’s who I am and that’s what I’m getting back to these last six weeks. I’m going to go out there and ball and have fun. And whatever happens, happens.’’
“Have fun, be a little kid and try to ball out with my brothers,’’ Barkley said.
It’ll be easier said than done for Barkley to have a big-time outing against Chicago’s No. 8 rushing defense, but don’t be shocked if you see him jumping over a guy Sunday afternoon.