New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (knee) is inching closer and closer to a full return, and will take another step towards that end this week.
Although he stopped short of providing exact details on what’s in store for Barkley, Giants head coach Joe Judge did indicate that he’ll participate in joint practices with the New England Patriots.
In fact, Barkley may even take part in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.
“We are going to the doctors and approach it as we get closer. We will have conversations [Monday] and will definitely be increasing what he’s doing,” Judge told reporters. “I can’t tell you exactly what that’s going to be. I don’t know at this point if that’s going to include 11-on-11 or 7-on-7, or whatever it may be, but we’re going to make sure we’re very calculated with what we do.
“At the same time, he had a great week this week with the trainers and with what he could give us on the field. I know he is tapping his foot and getting anxious. As soon as we get the greenlight from the medical staff, we’ll keep going.”
Prior to Sunday’s preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, Judge told NFL Network’s Kim Jones that they’ve “absolutely not” ruled Barkley out for a Week 1 game against the Denver Broncos. He reiterated that on Sunday night.
“I wouldn’t eliminate any possibilities,” Judge said.
Because of his close relationship with the Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick, Judge likely feels more comfortable about increasing Barkley’s workload knowing they’d take care of him — something else he had expressed to Kim Jones.
Should Barkley get through the week without a setback, the probability of him playing against the Broncos will increase exponentially.
