Saquon Barkley returned from a weekend off to find more than three dozen familiar faces had disappeared. A 53-player locker room felt somewhat desolate.
The rookie knew that training camp was through. Finally, he felt it.
No longer was the No. 2-overall pick getting ready for the season. Game preparation for Jacksonville had begun.
“It really hit me a little bit this morning, waking up, walking in the locker room, a lot of people being gone, knowing that now it’s for real, and it counts,” Barkley said following Monday’s practice. “I’m just excited to be back playing football, and start being a New York Giant again.