The wait is over: Saquon Barkley is back.
One of the major cornerstones of the New York Giants’ offense was activated off the physically unable to play (PUP) list on Monday and will practice with the team.
Barkley has not participated in any capacity with the Giants since Week 2 of the 2020 season when he tore his ACL against the Chicago Bears — ending his season and putting him on a long road to full recovery.
A firm timetable of when he’ll be able to play remains to be elusive, but the Giants activating Barkley indicates that the superstar running back could at least make a run at being ready for Week 1. Granted, the Giants will obviously be practicing extreme to ensure he is at full strength before exposing him to the rigors of NFL play.
Head coach Joe Judge said it himself just last week.
“In terms of the timetable, I say it all the time to you guys, I’m just being flat out honest, I’m not a doctor. I let the medical team do that and when they tell me a guy is good to go and put him on the field, I know he’s good to go,” Judge said. “In terms of a player like Saquon and a timetable coming back, he’s making daily progress. I know it sounds like a broken record, but that’s important for us to see coming off an injury like this.
“You want to make sure that it’s not push forward and take a step back.”
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Giants believe Barkley could suit up for the team at any time between Weeks 1 through 3 of the 2021 season.
In 31 career games over three seasons, Barkley has posted 2,344 rushing yards, 3,563 total yards, and 23 total touchdowns as one of the bright young stars of the NFL.
