At this point, it may be that the New York Giants are being more than “smart” with Barkley. He may have suffered an actual injury. Last time the team encountered a hamstring injury of this magnitude was Odell Beckham’s rookie season. Back then, Beckham missed the first four regular season games with a hamstring pull he sustained early in training camp.
Pointing this out isn’t alarmist, at least not yet, but rather let’s note that hamstring injuries are tricky. Let’s be honest, at this point, it’s about Barkley’s recovery, and not being “smart” with him.