EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Saquon Barkley wants Pat Shurmur to keep feeding him the ball.
The Giants' sensational rookie running back is shouldering one of the heaviest loads among NFL offensive players. His 242 touches (171 rushing attempts and 71 receptions) place him third in the NFL, behind only Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott and the Rams' Todd Gurley (253). The 171 carries is the league's seventh-highest total.
Barkley is averaging 22 touches a game, which projects to 352 over an entire season. At this pace, he will finish with 248 rushing attempts. In his three seasons at Penn State, his high totals were 300 touches and 272 carries, both in 2016.
With five games remaining, Barkley is very happy with how often he has the ball in his hands.
"I think it's perfectly fine," he said today. "With me, with the workload and my mindset - and I think I've said this multiple times - is whatever it takes.
"That's just my mindset. I know you guys (reporters) keep bringing up the questions, because of how many times I touched the ball in the second half (five times on Sunday in Philadelphia), but if we finished the game and we win that game, I don't think that's going to be this topic or the story. I know what people are thinking, but like I said, I'll continue to believe in the coaches, continue to believe in the offense and this system, and continue to come in working and take it one day at a time."
View the projected starters for this Sunday's game against the Bears.
Chicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson, rear, and teammate linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) celebrate the 76-yard interception that was returned for a touchdown by Jackson during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack waits on the snap during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Chicago Bears' quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) during the NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Mark Black)
Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard (24) rushes against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski)
Chicago Bears inside linebacker Roquan Smith (58) in action against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (18) makes a reception against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski)
Chicago Bears free safety Eddie Jackson (39) during warm ups prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski)
Chicago Bears defensive end Akiem Hicks (96) blocks against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Chicago Bears defensive end Jonathan Bullard (90) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/G-Jun Yam)
Chicago Bears nose tackle Eddie Goldman (91) celebrates after a quarterback sack during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Chicago Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) during an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Chicago Bears' wide receiver Allen Robinson (12) during the NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Mark Black)
Detroit Lions defensive end Da'Shawn Hand (93) is blocked by Chicago Bears offensive guard James Daniels (68) during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Chicago Bears offensive tackle Charles Leno (72) prepares to block Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Chicago Bears center Cody Whitehair (65) in the first half during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Chicago Bears offensive tackle Bobby Massie (70) waits on the snap during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Chicago Bears offensive tackle Bobby Massie (70) in the first half during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Chicago Bears tight end Trey Burton catches during pregame of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Chicago Bears strong safety Adrian Amos (38) during an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Chicago Bears fullback Michael Burton (46) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Barkley will not campaign for more opportunities to carry or catch the football. He is not ready to approach Shurmur and suggest specific plays.
"I try not to do that, because you believe in what your coaches are going to call," Barkley said. "Like I said, after the game, everyone wants to be the coach and everyone thinks they know what should be called in that situation or how we should do this or we should do that. They're there for a reason, so I just believe in those guys and they've been putting me in position to do well and everyone has been loving it or hyping me up like, oh rookie this, rookie that. It starts with the team, starts with the offensive line, but also starts with the coaches are putting me in position to make plays and I think they've been doing that not only with myself, but with everyone on this team this year."
Barkley will happily accept another heavy workload when the Giants host the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
*Seven players were on the Giants' injury report today, or six more than were included last week.
Tight end Evan Engram did not participate in practice because of the hamstring injury he suffered during pregame warmups three days ago in Philadelphia.
Six players were limited, including defensive lineman Kerry Wynn (concussion), the lone player on the list last week. He was joined by linebackers Lorenzo Carter (hip), Tae Davis (ankle) and B.J. Goodson (neck); cornerback Grant Haley (hamstring); and safety Curtis Riley (shoulder).
*Wide receiver Cody Latimer, who has been on injured reserve since Oct. 16 with a hamstring injury, returned to practice today. Latimer has missed five games and must sit out eight before he is eligible to return to the active roster. The eighth game will be against Tennessee on Dec. 16. The Giants will have the three days following that game (Monday through Wednesday) to decide whether to activate Latimer or keep him on injured reserve.
Before going on I.R., Latimer caught six passes for 108 yards.
Latimer joins running back Jonathan Stewart as players on injured reserve who have been designated for return/returned to practice. He is eligible to rejoin the roster now. If the Giants do not make that moved by Dec. 6, Stewart must remain on the I.R for the rest of the season.
*The Giants, New York Cares and Hoodies for the Homeless are inviting Giants fans to help those in need by donating new or gently worn coats and hoodies to their 23rd annual Coat and Hoodie Drive on Sunday, when the Giants host the Chicago Bears. Coats and hoodies can be dropped off with the New York Cares and Hoodies for the Homeless volunteers, stationed at stadium entrances, as well as in the carts circulating the parking lots.
