Saquon Barkley Defends Injured Quarterback Jones as Giants Fall: Backlash against Fans Grows
Saquon Barkley, the star running back for the New York Giants, came to the defense of his injured teammate, quarterback Daniel Jones, after he exited Sunday’s game with a neck injury. As the Giants suffered a disappointing 31-16 loss to the Miami Dolphins, Barkley was seen shouting at fans who were criticizing Jones for his performance.
In a post on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Barkley addressed the incident, stating, Stop reaching and trying to make it a me vs fans thing. I’m not gonna just sit there and not say anything while you talk crazy to 8 after he just got hurt… buddy knew he was in the wrong. The running back expressed his frustration with fans who were berating Jones, making it clear that he supported his teammate.
Although it remains unclear what exactly the fans said to provoke Barkley’s response, this incident adds to the growing backlash against Giants fans. Recently, offensive lineman Evan Neal faced criticism for derogatory comments he made about fans who booed the team, ultimately apologizing for his remarks.
The Giants have been plagued by injuries this season, with Barkley himself missing his third consecutive game due to a high-ankle sprain. Alongside Barkley, left tackle Andrew Thomas, rookie center John Michael Schmitz, and Micah McFadden have also suffered injuries. Jones’ neck injury occurred in the fourth quarter when he was sacked by Dolphins’ Andrew Van Ginkel.
Jones acknowledged dealing with a similar issue in the past, but the details surrounding his current injury remain unknown. Following the game, he stated, I’m in some pain, physical game, meet with the doctors and trainers and go from there. It’s just my neck, my neck’s sore. Despite the injury, Jones found solace in Barkley’s support.
Aside from the on-field challenges, Barkley’s absence due to injury has highlighted the contractual complexities surrounding him. After being franchise tagged in March, the 26-year-old running back signed a one-year deal on the first day of training camp. Meanwhile, Jones inked a four-year, $160 million deal with the Giants, allowing the team to use the franchise tag on Barkley.
In conclusion, Saquon Barkley’s defense of Daniel Jones against critical fans has added fuel to the growing backlash surrounding the New York Giants. As injuries continue to afflict the team, the support between teammates remains strong amidst contract complexities and fan frustrations.
