There have been some lingering concerns that New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, who is recovering from a torn ACL, could potentially miss the first few weeks of the regular-season.
It’s still possible that’s the case but Barkley will take a major step forward this week — as early as Monday — when he’s removed from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and returns to practice.
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Paul Schwartz of the New York Post was the first to report the news.
Barkley finally will be activated off the physically unable to perform list, a source told The Post, as the Giants ramp up practice this week in advance of Saturday night’s preseason opener against the Jets. Barkley will not play in that game, of course, and is not expected to play in the next two preseason games, either.
The Giants will not rush their star running back in any way, shape or form, acclimating him into individual drills until he shows he can handle more of a workload. The goal is to make sure Barkley, 24, does not experience any setbacks and that his progress, unhurried, remains steady.
Giants head coach Joe Judge has been relatively coy when it comes to Barkley, his return and a recovery timetable. He maintains that the team will take a cautious, long-term approach with the 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
“We’ve got to look at the long-term picture with Saquon,” Giants head coach Joe Judge told SNY. “We’ve got to make the right decision for the team long term. That could include long term throughout this season, long-term throughout a career.
“So I always want to do what’s best for the player in a situation like this, to make sure we don’t put him in a position that’s going to put him at risk because he isn’t ready.”
Barkley last practiced alongside his teammates in September of last year.
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