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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley was forced to watch games from the sideline last season after suffering a torn ACL in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears, and that may have been more painful than the injury itself.
Barkley told CBS Sports on Monday that he’s doing well in rehab and aims to be back by Week 1 next season, which is certainly a date circled on his calendar. Not just because he wants to reach the summit on his recovery, but because he desperately misses the game of football.
“That’s probably one of the hardest things is watching on Sundays,” Barkley said. “It sucks. You miss it. You think you love the game a lot, but it shows how much you really love it when it’s taken away from you. That’s why I just can’t wait to get back on the football field and put on that New York Giants uniform and go play the sport that I love.”
Even when Barkley returns, his job is far from done. Not only must he prove to himself that he’s still an elite talent, Barkley recognizes that he must prove that to many others, too.
“That does cross your mind a little bit,” Barkley said. “When that opportunity comes I think I can show them better than I can tell them. Right now I’m just focusing on being the best version of myself for my team.
“For me, [I’m] just trying to get better, and whenever I come back, just try to be a better version of myself for my team.”
The Giants have made it abundantly clear that Barkley will not only be welcomed back with open arms, but will reassume his role as the centerpiece of their offense.
However, after back-to-back injury-plagued seasons, the team will have a tough decision to make in the near future. In 2021, Barkley will enter the final year of his rookie contract and a more long-term decision will need to be made.
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