Wayne Gallman woke up last Monday with a familiar yet distant sensation. He was sore.
“Nothing like getting into the hot tub and rehab can’t fix,’’ he said.
Gallman enjoyed the discomfort.
“I’ve always been, not to make this like weird, but I’ve always been good taking pain, I guess,’’ he said. “I can handle a lot.’’
The good pain for a running back is the day-after aches that come from the punishment given and taken in a battle won. Gallman is in his third season and has never been busier in a game as he was in the 24-3 victory over the Redskins.
Starting in place of injured Saquon Barkley, Gallman got a career-high 18 rushing attempts (his previous high was 15 in the 2017 season finale) and caught six passes. His 24 touches were the most ever for him with the Giants and hearkened back to his workhorse role at Clemson.
Wayne GallmanNoah K. Murray“Back to college life,’’ Gallman said. “I would say it was good soreness.’’
Gallman ran for 63 yards and a touchdown and caught six passes for 55 yards and another touchdown. He will again have to carry the load Sunday, with Barkley missing his second consecutive game, when the Giants face the Vikings at MetLife Stadium.
Gallman, 24, appreciated having the ball in his hands often enough to actually get a feel for what the defense was doing, unlike his cameo appearances when Barkley is available.
“It’s different in the game, just being able to get that rhythm when you start to really feel it,’’ he said. “I haven’t had that in a long time. Just being out there and being able to have that, moving forward, preparation for me is not changing but just a little different in a way.’’
He hopes his performance leads to increased action for him, even after Barkley returns. Gallman played 46 of the 77 offensive snaps against the Redskins and when Barkley returns from a high ankle sprain, perhaps he might be limited, at least initially.
“That’s not up to me,’’ Gallman said. “I can only do what I’m given and just take the opportunity that I have. My goal is to continue to do my best these next couple of games, for whenever Saquon comes back. And maybe get a little rotation.’’
