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RB Saquon Barkley signs franchise tag

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants' veterans reported for training camp with their most prolific player under contract, in the locker room and ready to participate in the first practice of the summer.

After much speculation about his intentions, star running back Saquon Barkley arrived early Tuesday and signed a one-year contract. Barkley had not signed the franchise tender he received on March 7 and did not reach an agreement with the Giants on a long-term contract by the July 17 deadline, prompting some to think he might not report for camp. But Barkley was on the field for conditioning drills Tuesday and will participate in the first practice on Wednesday.

"Obviously we are glad we were able to work things out with Saquon," said general manager Joe Schoen. "We all recognize the player and person Saquon is and what he means to our team. He is a good teammate, a leader and a really good player. We are looking forward to getting on the field tomorrow."

The New York Giants have reported to the Quest Diagnostics Training Center for the start of training camp.

Barkley enters his sixth season as arguably the Giants' most accomplished and important player.

Last year, Barkley was vital to a Giants resurgence that included nine victories in the regular season, the team's first playoff berth since 2016 and first postseason victory in 11 years.

He started each of the first 16 regular-season games before he was one of numerous inactive regulars in the season finale at Philadelphia, the first time since his 2018 Rookie of the Year season that Barkley did not miss a game due to injury. Barkley was selected to his second Pro Bowl and was one of three players nominated for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.

Barkley finished with career-high totals of 295 carries for 1,312 yards – the NFL's fourth-highest total - and rushed for 10 touchdowns, one less than his career-high rookie total. He had 133 more attempts, 719 more yards and eight more rushing touchdowns than he produced in 13 games in 2021. Barkley ran for one touchdown in 10 of his 16 games, plus two in the postseason. He also tied Richie James for the team lead with 57 receptions for 338 yards and was seventh in the NFL with 1,650 scrimmage yards, almost double his 2021 total of 856.

Barkley joined New England's Rhamondre Stevenson and the Chargers' Austin Ekeler as the only players to lead their teams in rushing and receiving.

He was voted a team captain for the fourth consecutive year.

In five seasons, Barkley has started all 60 regular-season and two postseason games in which he played. His regular-season totals include 4,249 rushing yards on 954 carries (4.5-yard avg.) and 29 touchdowns, plus 247 receptions for 1,820 yards (7.4-yard avg.) and eight scores. He has 6,069 scrimmage yards.

In the 2022 playoffs, Barkley has rushed for 114 yards on 18 attempts (6.3-yard avg.) and two touchdowns and caught seven passes for 77 yards for 191 yards from scrimmage.

Barkley's 6,069 scrimmage yards are the highest total by a player in his first five seasons who began his career with the Giants. Rodney Hampton held the former record with 5,892 yards.

Barkley ended the 2022 season sixth on the franchise career rushing list, 389 yards behind Alex Webster. His 4,249 rushing yards is the second-highest total in a player's first five seasons in Giants history, behind Hampton (4,807).

View photos of Giants running back Saquon Barkley's time with the New York Giants.

Bower, 28, is a 6-5, 250-pounder who has played in 26 regular-season games with three starts for Minnesota, New England and Las Vegas. He has 23 tackles (16 solo), 2.0 sacks and four tackles for loss. In 2022, Bower played in six games for the Raiders.

Bower is a New Jersey native who played four seasons at LSU.

*Linebacker Elerson Smith (heel) was waived/injured. A fourth-round draft choice in 2021, Smith played in just 13 games in two seasons, including five last year, because of injuries. His totals included five tackles (one solo), two quarterback hits, six special teams tackles and one forced fumble on special teams.

*Defensive back Trenton Thompson was waived.

Signed as a rookie free agent last year, Thompson played in one game, Thanksgiving Day in Dallas.

View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2023 cycle.

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