Ex-Falcons Pro Bowl back to work out for Big Blue
Saquon Barkley, the player, cannot be replaced.
Saquon Barkley, the roster spot, will have to be replaced. And so, the Giants are looking for candidates and will bring in veteran running back Devonta Freeman for a look-see, a source confirmed.
Freeman, 28, spent six years with the Falcons but was released in March. The Eagles brought him in this past weekend, but Freeman was not signed. That proximity to New Jersey helped, as he started the COVID-19 testing protocols Monday and will visit with the Giants on Tuesday for a workout.
“We’re always looking at who’s available on the street anyway,’’ coach Joe Judge said. “We’re always looking at setting up workouts for free agents. We’re exploring all options right now.’’
Barkley went down with a right knee injury on the first play of the second quarter in Sunday’s 17-13 loss to the Bears in Chicago. An MRI on Monday revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, as well as a partially torn meniscus and a strained medial collateral ligament. His 2020 season is finished.
The only other running backs on the roster are Dion Lewis and Wayne Gallman. Fullback Eli Penny has 53 rushing attempts in four NFL seasons. Veteran Rod Smith is on the practice squad.
“The guys are on our roster, we’re going have to find ways to put them in positions of strength and find ways to matchup to our opponent favorably,’’ Judge said.
Freeman was a productive runner for the Falcons, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards in 2015 and 2016, running for 22 touchdowns in that span and earning Pro Bowl honors both years. Knee and groin issues in 2018 limited him to only two games and last season in 14 games he slowed down, with 656 rushing yards on a career-low 3.6 yards per rushing attempt. He is the most accomplished running back on the open market, though, and the Giants need someone with a proven ability to run between the tackles.
Freeman reportedly turned down a $4 million offer from the Seahawks this offseason. The Giants have slightly less than $16
million in salary cap space.
Lewis, 29, has rarely been an every-down back. Of his 549 career rushing attempts, more than half (335) came in 2017 (Patriots) and 2018 (Titans). Gallman’s Giants career is teetering; he was inactive on Sunday. He was a 2017 fourth-round draft pick and has not come close to matching the 111 rushing attempts he got as a rookie.
“Wayne and Dion are definitely guys who will factor in,’’ Judge said. “We’ll work to their strengths, they’re two different types of backs.
“Wayne’s got that long speed, get him ranging out and get him really moving. Dion’s got that real good short area quickness and burst to get going . ... We’re going to have to work with that they do well to give them an opportunity to be successful.’’