The New York Giants activated running back Saquon Barkley from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list on Monday and saw him return to practice for the first time since tearing his ACL in 2020.
The buzz around the Giants potentially turning a corner in 2021 — particularly on the offensive side of the ball — depends heavily on Barkley. The good news is that he faced his rehabilitation head-on and continues his journey to get back on the field and back to the player he once was.
While it was really exciting to see Barkley back on the field, his return to practice does not necessarily mean he will be ready for Week 1 when New York hosts the Denver Broncos.
Although head coach Joe Judge has ruled out Barkley for the first preseason game this Saturday against the New York Jets, only time will tell how soon Barkley will be ready to play in a game.
Even Barkley himself doesn’t know when that will be.
“To be honest, I don’t know,” Barkley said when asked if he’ll be ready for Week 1. “Obviously, you guys know how I am as a competitor. I’m pretty sure you guys know what my thought process is. But at the same time, I’m very fortunate to play for an unbelievable coach and an unbelievable organization that’s actually thinking about me and thinking about the rest of my career and the longevity of my career and I don’t feel forced. We have a great team here, great strength staff, great trainers who are doing everything they can and when the time is the time, that’ll be the time for me to come back.”
Just last week, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Barkley could return by Week 3, although many are hoping it will be sooner.
The Giants, of course, won’t rush him back for his own well-being, as well as the team’s based both on need and previous investment.
