As expected, the New York Giants activated running back Saquon Barkley (knee) from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list on Monday and announced that he would be returning to practice.
Barkley has been sidelined since Week 2 of last season when he suffered a torn ACL (plus MCL and meniscus damage) against the Chicago Bears.
Barkley, who erupted onto the scene as a rookie in 2018, has appeared in just 15 games over the previous two seasons, dealing with an ankle issue in 2019 and the aforementioned knee injury in 2020.
Although Barkley is set to return to the practice field, the Giants still intend to take it slow with their former first-round pick.
“He’ll be doing mostly individuals,” head coach Joe Judge told reporters. “We’re not going to put him in 11-on-11s or 7-on-7s at this point right now.”
Judge also officially ruled Barkley out for Saturday’s preseason game against the New York Jets.
In addition to Barkley, the Giants have also activated edge rusher Oshane Ximines, who was recovering from a torn rotator cuff, from the PUP list.
A 2019 third-round pick, Ximines has appeared in 20 games (five starts) for the Giants, recording 30 tackles (six for a loss), 4.5 sacks and one pass defensed.
Ximines will re-join a positional group that consists of Lorenzo Carter, who is also returning from injury this year, Ifeadi Odenigbo and rookie Azeez Ojulari, among others.
With Barkley and Ximines now off the PUP list, that leaves the Giants with just tight end Kyle Rudolph and rookie cornerback Aaron Robinson remaining sidelined.
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