No position in professional football has been more devalued or marginalized in recent years than the running back, both contractually and in practical usage.

The juxtaposition of the continued absence of Saquon Barkley from the Giants with the return to full health of second-year Jets game breaker Breece Hall has shown New York football fans that perhaps NFL front offices have been too quick to believe the ball carrier is a replaceable entity.

This is not the first time that Barkley has missed time due to an injury, sitting out the past three games — all losses — due to a high-ankle sprain suffered in Week 2 against the Cardinals. The two-time Pro Bowler had 92 yards from scrimmage with two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) as the Giants overcame a 20-point halftime deficit in Arizona to post their lone win of the season.

Barkley’s importance to Brian Daboll’s offense is unquestioned, even behind a shaky offensive line, and it is his best argument for a contract extension beyond this year’s salary of $10.1 million.