Saquon Barkley loses first career fumble in Giants vs. Cowboys

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley has fought his way through injuries and some inconsistency in recent years, but entering Sunday, he hadn’t lost a fumble in his NFL career. That changed against the Dallas Cowboys.

With less than a minute remaining in the second quarter and the Giants with the ball around midfield, Barkley took a handoff up the middle. Cowboys defensive lineman DeMarcus Lawrence was able to punch the ball loose, and the Cowboys recovered. It is the first time Barkley has ever lost a fumble in the NFL, and it led to a Cowboys field goal to extend the Dallas lead to 15-3.

Barkley fumbles, forced by Lawrence – turnover for the #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/SutXhdDWs5

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 19, 2021

It took 791 total touches, per ESPN’s Field Yates, before Barkley lost his first fumble since becoming the focal point of the Giants offense.

Barkley began his career with the Giants in 2018 after being drafted second overall out of Penn State. The former Nittany Lions star had 1,307 rushing yards, 721 receiving yards, and 15 total touchdowns as an NFL rookie. In his second year in 2019, he has 1,003 rushing yards, 438 receiving yards and eight total touchdowns. Barkley fumbled once in 2019, but the Giants recovered.

Last season, Barkley’s season was cut short after just two games due to a torn ACL. He rehabbed his way back to be ready for this season, although he has still been dealing with some reoccurring issues throughout the season. This year, Barkley has played in nine games for the Giants, rushing for 379 yards and two touchdowns and adding 224 yards through the air with two additional touchdowns. He also fumbled once earlier this year, but the Giants again recovered.

Barkley made an impressive catch earlier in Giants vs. Cowboys

Barkley might have fumbled against the Cowboys, but he also made a spectacular catch earlier in the game. In the first quarter on third-and-one, Giants quarterback Mike Glennon took the snap. He was immediately pressured, and he flipped the ball out to Barkley, who made an impressive catch on a ball that was behind him. It was enough for a first down.

The Giants entered Sunday’s game with a 4-9 record, sitting at the bottom of the NFC East. Dallas led 15-3 at halftime on Sunday. Barkley, in addition to essentially every offensive contributor on the roster, has been sidelined for multiple games.

Barkley has missed four games, leaving Devontae Booker to lead the team in rushing at this point. No wide receiver out of Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, Sterling Shepard, or Darius Slayton have played in more than ten games. Tight end Evan Engram has also only played in 11 games.