New York Giants running back Wayne Gallman started the season as Saquon Barkley’s primary backup and even started the first two games Barkley missed after suffering a high ankle sprain against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Since then however, Gallman has seen his role steadily decrease and then, in the blink of an eye, it vanished entirely. Although healthy, Gallman now finds himself an annual part of the team’s inactives.
“I honestly couldn’t tell you. I don’t know,” Gallman told the New York Post about his demotion, adding that he’s not injured.
Although he’s admittedly frustrated, Gallman refuses to act out or speak out, choosing instead to support Buck Allen, who has taken over his role, and his other teammates.
“I’m not going to act out and not be myself,” Gallman said. “The team comes first. I’ve never been a person to ask why or anything because it’s really not going to change anything. I’ve always believed you earn playing time with what you do at practice. I let my play do my talking for me.”
In 10 games this season, Gallman has gained 110 yards and scored two touchdowns while averaging 3.8 yards per carry, which pales in comparison to his rookie production (476 yards and 4.3 ypc in 2017). But that could be a product of his role and the offensive line, which has struggled with their blocking assignments when Daniel Jones is under center.
With one year remaining on his contract, Gallman has no plans on trying to force his way out of town despite his diminished role.
“Those talks will happen after my contract, but I’m a competitor and a team-first guy,” Gallman said.
“I’m going to take my same approach to every offseason – to prepare and train like a starting back. Wherever I’m at, if it’s still here, I’ll be happily ready to go for training camp. Or if it’s somewhere else, I’ll take the same mindset — to be one of the best.”
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