The New York Giants and running back Saquon Barkley were unable to come to terms on a long-term deal before the Monday 4 p.m. ET deadline for franchise-tagged players to reach new contracts with their teams.
Barkley can still play on the $10.1 million franchise tag, but he can also sit out a la ex-Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell in 2018.
At the least, it appears Barkley could now be absent for the team's Sept. 10 regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, per ESPN's Dianna Russini to Ryen Russillo of The Ringer:
The Ringer @ringer"It is definitely on the table for [Saquon Barkley] to sit out against Dallas.