Finishes season with a whimper Barkley rushed 11 times for 30 yards and brought in three of four targets for 19 yards in the Giants' 22-7 loss to Washington on Sunday. Impact In what was a thoroughly forgettable 4-13 season for the Giants, Barkley had a similarly underwhelming campaign on an individual level and closed it out with one more pedestrian performance. While New York's mediocre run-blocking offensive line, the team's shaky quarterback situation, and especially early in the season, Barkley's still-recovering knee, likely bear the brunt of the blame for the talented back's lack of production, it's arguably fair to wonder whether the fourth-year pro also lacked explosiveness and vision at times, thereby leaving some yards on the field. At least partly supporting this notion is the fact that veteran backup Devontae Booker was actually appreciably more efficient than Barkley when filling in, although there won't be any question about the latter going into training camp as the clear No. 1 back again this coming summer for what will be a contract year, barring an offseason extension.
JANUARY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE