One of the biggest questions for the New York Giants heading into training camp this summer is whether or not star running back Saquon Barkley will be ready to participate.
The former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is working his way back from a season lost to a torn ACL and is rehabbing vigorously to return to form in time to join his teammates this season.
All indications are that Barkley is close to returning to the field but the Giants are remaining mum on when he will be given the green light. There has been speculation that Barkley is not ready at the moment to hit the field at 100 percent.
Barkley worked at the team’s offseason training program and was in the building for minicamp, getting his work in early in the morning on the side.
The Giants have not divulged much about Barkley’s status other than he’s “doing well” and will return only when he is deemed “100 percent” to participate.
While most analysts point to quarterback Daniel Jones’ progress as the biggest question the Giants must answer this season, some are zeroing in on Barkley, such as Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon.
This may be a make-or-break season for third-year New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, but that’ll be the case regardless of what he does on the practice field and in preseason action this summer. Instead, the focus in terms of big training camp questions should shift to Jones’ top weapon, running back Saquon Barkley.
If Barkley’s ready in August, Giants fans should feel pretty good about Jones and Co.’s chances of making progress in 2021. But for now, we’re waiting and guessing.
“We are going to make sure that we take Saquon‘s rehab at the correct rate for his individual body and injury,” Giants head coach Joe Judge said at minicamp earlier this month. “It’s not any mirror of anybody else’s injury out there. We have to make sure that we let him get it at his pace and put him on the field, can play 100 percent aggressive and confident and he’s going to play safe and he can play effective.
“Typically, we do Saquon‘s rehab in the morning before practice so when the players get out there he’s already been off the field and a lot of times he’s not out there when you’re out there… We are getting a lot of our rehab done during some of the meeting time. Couldn’t be happier with how he is working, showing tremendous leadership this off-season. He’s chomping at the bit to get back on the field. We are taking it day-by-day and he’s getting better every day.”
