Barkley OK sitting out preseason games, ready if asked

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. >> Saquon Barkley has no problem watching preseason games from the sidelines, if that’s what New York Giants coach Pat Shurmur wants.

While in uniform, the NFL offensive rookie of the year last season was a spectator and cheerleader for the Giants’ 31-22 victory over the Jets on Thursday.

Speaking to the media Monday after practice, Barkley shrugged off his role as a non-participant. He is getting a lot of work every day in practice. He’s been a halfback long enough to know how to run the ball. And he certainly doesn’t need to get hit to get ready for the season opener at Dallas on Sept. 8.

If last season is any indication, the second pick overall is going to be hit around 400 times this season. He carried the ball 261 times for 1,307 yards and was targeted for passes 121 times, catching 91. That’s 382 times he was a target and doesn’t take into account either the times he has to block or when he is hit while carrying out a fake.

Still, Barkley would not object to playing preseason.

“If you know anything about me, or if you ask my teammates, I love the game of football,” the Penn State product said. “Any opportunity that you get to play. Every single day we stop, and we mention, especially in the RB group, how big in the of a blessing it is to come out here and play the sport that you love.”

Barkley spoke to Shurmur after being told he was not going to play in the opener and was told there is a plan. Neither he nor Shurmur discussed it.

“I’ll let it reveal itself,” Shurmur said.