The New York Giants have had to take a step back in the last several days with rookie running back Saquon Barkley currently dealing with a hamstring injury that has limited his participation on the practice field.

This is time on the field that quarterback Eli Manning believes is invaluable for the 21-year-old ahead of his first season in the league, according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News.

“Not concerned with Odell (Beckham Jr.), just because we’ve got years of experience and you get a lot of reps in practice; we’ve had game experience together,” Manning said of Beckham’s sitting out two preseason games and counting. “Now Saquon, that’s different, just because he’s a rookie and missing some valuable time. So I know he’s getting mental reps. It’s different than practice reps; it’s different than game reps. Hopefully he can get back soon.”

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It is quite a different experience for Barkley given that it is his first year in the league, which means he is still adjusting to playing at the next level while learning the playbook. This makes the time on the practice field that much more crucial to his comfort and understanding of the offensive game plan heading in the 2018 season.

This is even more so the case given that the Giants are counting on Barkley to play a major role in the offense as the primary running back out of the backfield with involvement in both the running and passing game. There is much he could gain in training camp for him to be better prepared for the regular season along with certain moments in the game that will call for him to be a major factor.

Nonetheless, Barkley there is still plenty of time for him to get back on the field in time to be ready both mentally and physically ahead of the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.