New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Giants OC Jason Garrett: RB Saquon Barkley '100%' ahead of Broncos game

New York Giants head coach Joe Judge has been clear since the spring that star running back Saquon Barkley would not return to the lineup to face a live defense coming off the torn ACL he suffered nearly 12 months ago until he took some contact from teammates in a practice and was deemed to be 100% recovered from the setback.   

Barkley checked the first box a week ago, and New York offensive coordinator Jason Garrett may have intentionally or not unveiled the 24-year-old could be good to go for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Denver Broncos.

It should be noted Garrett's comments do not necessarily make Barkley a lock to play. Judge and company always planned to reevaluate the electric ball-carrier following Thursday's practice session, and it wouldn't be shocking to see the coach wait until Friday or even the weekend to confirm Barkley will start Sunday afternoon in the Big Blue backfield.

As has been the case since the Labor Day holiday, though, all signs seem to point to Barkley playing against Denver at MetLife Stadium.

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