Health of Saquon Barkley, playmakers has New York Giants feeling optimistic

In running back Saquon Barkley’s case, when the Giants , it will have been six weeks since he took a handoff in a game.

Barkley, who missed the past four games, has played one full game when rookie first-round receiver Kadarius Toney was also a significant part of the offense.

Yes, there have been flashes, but there has not been a single game when all six of the Giants’ top playmakers have been healthy.

The New Orleans game was one of two games when Kenny Golladay, who was acquired in the offseason, was close to full speed.

Golladay, who was bothered early in the season by a hamstring injury suffered in training camp, missed three games after hyperextending his knee in Dallas.

Toney wasn’t a big part of game plans early in the season because of an offseason that featured various injuries, a shoe malfunction, a brief holdout during OTAs and a positive COVID-19 test just before training camp.

However, coming out of their bye with improved health has the Giants feeling optimistic about the second half of the season.

Barkley is not ready to handle a full workload, and Booker’s 4.4 yards per carry the past two weeks is the best two-game stretch by a Giants running back this season.

Golladay being close to 100% for the first time since he was injured in Dallas is massive for Jones and the offense.

Engram has played more than 50% of the offensive snaps in every game he’s played.

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