Barkley denies playing hurt: 'The great ones figure it out'

Despite accumulating just 88 rushing yards over his last three games, Saquon Barkley insisted he isn't being hampered by the ankle injury that cost him three games earlier this year.

"Did I look hurt?" Barkley posed to reporters, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. "No. So let's stop making an excuse that I'm hurt. I'm not hurt. Let's stop making an excuse I'm not 100%. Nobody is 100%."

The New York Giants running back rushed for 59 yards in a Week 12 loss to the Chicago Bears following a Week 11 bye. One of the most dynamic running backs in the NFL, Barkley is averaging 3.9 yards per carry this season.

"I can pull up multiple clips where you can look back and see I'm doing the same thing that I did in college or that I did my (rookie) year," Barkley said. "The season is not going the way I'd like it. I'm not going to put blame on anyone else. You have to point fingers at yourself first.

"I have to be better. I'm going to keep working. I put in my notes today: 'The great ones figure it out.' And I want to be great. I'm going to figure it out."

Barkley has a chance to rebound in Week 13 as he matches up against the Green Bay Packers and their 26th-ranked run defense.

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