Insider clarifies if Giants' Saquon Barkley could sit games out

NFL insiders continue to reject the idea that New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley will sit regular-season games out to protest not receiving an improved contract. 

ESPN's Dianna Russini originally reported last week that Barkley's "availability for Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys will be in serious question" if he remained on track to play on the franchise tag worth $10.091M through Monday's deadline for teams to sign tagged players to long-term deals. As shared by Bleacher Report's Paul Kasabian, Russini told Ryen Russillo of The Ringer on Tuesday she's convinced Barkley will report in time to play versus Dallas even though the 26-year-old hasn't completely slammed the door shut on staying away from the Giants through Sept. 10. 

"I've been around Saquon a lot," Russini explained. "He is such a competitor and he cares, and he cares about his image. And by the way, that's not a knock. I think it's a compliment to him because it's about, he encompasses it all. It's not just about what he can do on the field. He wants to be the face of the franchise, and it's important to him. So I do think in the end, I think he shows up. But I think between now and then, it's going to sway."

Even though Monday's deadline came and went without Barkley receiving an offer to his liking, his representatives can continue negotiating with the Giants as he skips training camp practices while keeping the tag unsigned. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio noted last month Barkley can still ask for more than $10.091M attached to a one-year deal for the upcoming campaign in return for reporting to training camp well before Week 1. The 2018 first-round draft pick could also request that the Giants guarantee they won't use the franchise tag to retain his rights next year. 

Russini, Florio and Giants legend Tiki Barber are among the many members of the NFL community who expect Barkley won't forfeit even 1/17th the value of the franchise tag by voluntarily missing a regular-season contest. On Tuesday, Russini made it known the Giants "believe that Saquon is going to show up" for Week 1, so he may have to actually prove the team wrong to win anything of note after his representatives seemingly cost him money beyond what's only guaranteed via the tag.