Nearly 10 months from his ACL and MCL tears, Saquon Barkley may not have a smooth on-ramp back to his previous role. If Barkley has confidence about his return, he is closely guarding evidence of it.
A previous report indicated the Pro Bowl running back may not be full-go by training camp and would likely be eased in to regular-season work, and Barkley offered a cryptic progress assessment Thursday. After saying he is “trying to get 1% better every single day” during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Podcast (video link), Barkley declined to say whether he expects to be ready for Week 1.
The fourth-year back also said he has not yet discussed whether he will begin training camp on the active/PUP list with the coaching staff. While Barkley was clearly trying to avoid giving much of anything away, it is not like the Giants have a near-future opponent from which to shield information. Questions about his readiness will naturally persist until he returns to full work.
Although Barkley is almost 10 months removed from the Sept. 18 injury, which also included meniscus damage, he did not undergo surgery until Oct. 29. The Giants are not expected to make Barkley a full practice participant until at least midway through training camp. Barkley attended Giants minicamp but did not participate fully.
“We have to make sure that we let him get it at his pace and put him on the field, can play 100% aggressive and confident and he’s going to play safe and he can play effective,” Joe Judge said last month. “… Couldn’t be happier with how he is working, showing tremendous leadership this offseason. He’s champing at the bit to get back on the field.”
Barkley’s status will obviously be one of this year’s key training camp storylines. This will be the first training camp in which the Penn State product is eligible for an extension, though last year’s injury — after he suffered a high ankle sprain in 2019 — clouds that prospect. Barkley said in June he is not fixated on an extension taking place.
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