Saquon Barkley is awaiting a text message from Tiki Barber.
Barkley, his parents and his agent joined Barber — for now still the holder of most Giants rushing records — for a meal at famed Rao’s in East Harlem shortly after the 2018 NFL Draft.
“I told him that I was going to break all of his records,” Barkley said. “Not in a disrespectful way, but basically coming from a respectful way that it’s my goal that I want to be great like you one day. He gave me a lot of advice, gave me a lot of motivation. He’s a great dude.”
Barkley checked one off the list Sunday, with 279 yards from scrimmage in the overtime win against the Redskins. That topped Barber’s mark of 276 against the Eagles in 2002.
“I didn’t find that out until after the game,” Barkley said. “That’s something you set goals to do. I’ve already been quoted saying I want to be legendary. I want to be great. I’m thankful to have that record. Even though my name is on that record, it took a lot of people to help me to do it.”
Take two more veterans off the young Giants.
For this week. For the season. For good?
Right tackle Mike Remmers is dealing with a concussion, and it is very rare for a player to make it through the five-step NFL concussion protocol in a week’s time. Inside linebacker Alec Ogletree needs “more evaluation” on his back, according to coach Pat Shurmur.
Remmers was replaced by increasingly valuable second-year pro Nick Gates during Sunday’s win. Gates has started at right tackle and right guard this season and has the ability to play all five positions.
Ogletree woke up Sunday with a soreness that extended from his back into his foot.
Remmers’ one-year contract expires after the season and the Giants could turn to Gates, a free agent or a first-round draft pick. Ogletree can be cut for $8.25 million cap savings and only $3.5 million in dead money during the offseason.
The Giants are starting in-season free-agent additions David Mayo and Deone Bucannon at inside linebacker.
Zach Ertz, who leads the Eagles in receptions and receiving yards, played through a fractured rib against the Cowboys. He is undergoing further tests to see his availability for a win-and-in game Sunday against the Giants.
For more on the Giants, listen to the latest episode of the “Blue Rush” podcast:
