The Saquon Barkley mistake Giants can’t make

Don’t play Saquon Barkley.

Pat Shurmur should have Barkley take a seat and wait for the regular-season opener against the Cowboys to play him.

Barkley is the straw that stirs the Giants’ drink.

The risk-reward isn’t worth taking him out of bubble wrap.

Better safe than sorry.

Keep him in mothballs.

He hasn’t played in the first two preseason games and there is no compelling reason why he should play Thursday night in Cincinnati.

Barkley’s indefatigable work ethic and relentless preparation enables him to be on the same page with his offensive linemen anyway.

For what it’s worth, even if Ezekiel Elliott ends his contract dispute, he will have taken zero preseason snaps even before the Sept. 8 opener.

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