The Giants' offense is built around Saquon Barkley's skills, and putting up numbers like Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey did last season (more than 1,000 yards rushing and receiving) or making a run at Chris Johnson's single-season yards from scrimmage record (2,509) seems plausible.

"Certainly, he'll be a big part of what we're doing going forward," OC Jason Garrett said.

The story said Garrett's history shows he is more than willing to lean on a star running back, as nobody averaged more carries per game (20.9) over the past four seasons than Ezekiel Elliott did under Garrett with the Dallas Cowboys. Elliott even finished second among running backs with 431 routes run last season. The story went on to say the passing game is where Barkley could make significant gains. Watching him run routes at practice, the mismatches are obvious. His routes are crisper than ever. His explosiveness has returned.

The Giants haven't been able to get the run game going consistently, and even more problematic, Saquon Barkley is becoming less of a factor in the pass game.

Barkley had two receptions for 1 yard on Sunday to go along with 59 yards on 17 carries (3.5 yards per carry). The struggles continue, even though he told ESPN he felt better afterward than he had following a game in quite some time. Barkley has failed to top 100 total yards in four of five games since returning from a high ankle sprain suffered in late September. This was the concern in the summer for potential Barkley owners - that defenses would be able to shut down the second year back without a lot of other threats on offense.

Star running back Saquon Barkley was banged up once again during the loss. Barkley had the worst game of his career with 13 carries for just one yard, and he was seen be several reporters entering the X-ray room following the game. Giants coach Pat Shurmur would say only that Barkley "got banged up a little bit today" when asked about it at his postgame press conference.

Shurmur didn't give much more information on Monday. All he would allow is that Barkley is "fine," and that the Giants would "absolutely not" be shutting him down despite his injury issues in the midst of what looks like a lost season. Barkley and the Giants get a bye in Week 11 before getting the Bears in Week 12.

Saquon Barkley (ankle) practiced fully for the Giants and will play this week against the Lions.

Saquon Barkley looks on track to play in a good matchup against a Detroit team that allows the most fantasy points per running back touch this season.

Saquon Barkley gave the team a scare when he limped off the field after a defender fell on his ankle in the third quarter, but he had it re-taped and returned to the game without experiencing any other problems.

“I felt like I was running well,” Barkley said, via NJ.com. “I think I did a little too much on some stuff. But that’s part of my game. Sometimes, it doesn’t work. Most of the time, it works. I think cutting was fine. I broke some long ones today, made some people miss. I think I did fine. I know I felt fine, but didn’t do enough to help my team win. I was able to take my normal workload. Physically, I feel good.”

The Giants get a nice matchup next week against the Lions. He ran for 72 yards and added a receiving TD this past week.