New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley on return to form - 'This is the guy I know'

East Rutherford, N.J. — The rookie year version of New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley has returned. He can see it when he watches film of himself the first three weeks of this season.

Barkley is second in the NFL with 317 yards rushing and two touchdowns on a healthy 6.0 yards per carry.

«Yeah, not to be arrogant but when you see plays like when I went back and watched film on the touchdown run I had on Monday, making that jump cut inside a hole, making those two guys miss and finding a way to score, those are plays where it just puts a smile on your face when you're like, 'That is the guy I know,'» Barkley said on Thursday of his 36-yard touchdown run against the Cowboys.

Barkley was named Offensive Rookie of the Year after compiling over 2,000 total yards in 2018. But he's struggled to stay healthy since. He's been limited the past three seasons by ankle injuries and a torn ACL in his right knee.

Even when Barkley played last year (13 games), he wasn't himself. It's something he's been open and honest about this year. He lacked confidence in himself and his body, specifically the surgically-repaired knee.

«That is the guy who was always there,» Barkley said of his return to form this season. «He was there last year to be completely honest. I just had a hard time finding a way to bring him out. That is coming with a mental disconnect, loss in confidence and just human nature. It happens. You're going to have your ups and downs in life, but you have to find a way not to waver and trust yourself. Continue to trust the process and find belief in yourself again. I feel like I'm starting to do that.»

Barkley had -44 rushing yards over expectation last season, according to NextGen Stats. That stat considered him a