NY Giants studs and duds Buccaneers as Tampa makes it look easy

NY Giants RB Saquon Barkley – DUD

Saquon Barkley’s return Monday from an ankle injury was heralded with much optimism, but in the end contributed only more disappointment, which has been a hallmark of the NY Giants’ running back’s recent career.

Barkley, against the Buccaneers, looked like a shell of himself.

The elusiveness and explosiveness that made Barkley an elite prospect, and propelled him being chosen No. 2 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft has been replaced by a timidness that makes him look … ordinary.

In fairness to Barkley, returning from a significant ankle injury suffered just over a year after tearing his ACL is bound to cause some rust and lingering effects.

But, if Barkley is going to be part of the NY Giants’ future, which for the first time seems to at least be a question worth asking, he’ll need to be far more productive than six carries for 25 yards, and 56 yards from scrimmage.