Giants' Matt Barkley 'fully confident' he can make impact if called upon vs. Commanders
New York Giants quarterback Matt Barkley (9) warms up before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. Credit: AP/Julio Cortez
Considering that just about everything that could have gone wrong has gone wrong for the Giants this season, would it really be a shock to see fourth-string quarterback Matt Barkley have to play at some point during the next few weeks?
Barkley, whom the Giants signed to the practice squad on Halloween, will be the backup to undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito for the second straight week on Sunday against the Commanders in Washington.
Barkley, 33, last threw an NFL pass in 2020 with Buffalo. He was signed by the Giants because of his familiarity with coach Brian Daboll’s system from their time together with the Bills.
Barkley was signed when Tyrod Taylor got hurt filling in for the injured Daniel Jones (neck) and later was elevated to the active roster when Jones suffered his season-ending torn ACL.
So how ready would Barkley be if he had to play on Sunday?
“I’m a week or two more into the system and just more acclimated,” Barkley said on Friday. “The bones, the foundation of the offense is just about the same when [Daboll] left Buffalo, but there were things that we changed or were different. So just like relearning little things, some of the play calls. But for the most part, going into this game plan, I’m fully confident.”
Daboll, who said after activating Barkley that the quarterback needed to work on his conditioning, was asked on Friday how he is progressing.
“Making good progress,” Daboll said. “He’s prepared. Stays here late as much as we have to. I think Shea [Tierney, the quarterbacks coach] and [offensive coordinator Mike] Kafka do a good job with those guys. Spend a lot of time with both of them. DeVito’s obviously a young player and Matt’s new. So a lot of work in that area.”
One thing that would make it more difficult for Barkley if he had to enter the game is that he has taken zero snaps with the first-team offense. DeVito, as the starter, has taken all the reps, just as Taylor had when he was starting.
On Taylor, who is eligible to come off injured reserve in Week 14 as his injured ribs heal, Daboll said: “He’s making progress.”
Injury updates. CB Adoree’ Jackson (concussion) and OT Evan Neal (ankle) are out . . . WR Jalin Hyatt and LB Kayvon Thibodeaux were cleared from the concussion protocol and will play . . . LT Andrew Thomas (knee) is questionable.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
