TO THE RESCUE!
Saquon appears ready to return Sunday following quick recovery from ankle sprain
All that’s left is an official designation.
After practicing fully Wednesday and Thursday, Giants running back Saquon Barkley is strongly trending toward a Sunday return, four weeks after he suffered a high right ankle sprain.
Barkley wouldn’t guarantee he would play against the Cardinals at MetLife Stadium — he repeatedly said Thursday he’s taking it day-by-day — but that’s just the superstar running back following protocol.
“No doubt in my mind,” he said, when asked if his body is ready for a full game.
Barkley stressed he wants to be out there “really bad,” but also said he would listen to the team’s doctors, trainers and coaches. However, it seems clear he’s past the injury that some thought could keep him out up to two months.
“I feel really good,” last season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year said.
Barkley began practicing on a limited basis on Oct. 4, far earlier than was expected, creating buzz of a stunning return after a few weeks. But the Giants played it safe, holding him out until he had a number of practices under his belt at full strength.
“The biggest difference from where I was last week until where I am now is I’m practicing,” Barkley said. “With this injury, obviously day-by-day and week-by-week, it continues to get better. Last week, I was taking reps individually and running routes, but [there’s a] difference when you have to actually react and make cuts going against the scout team, going against the defense.
“I’m actually practicing this week and I get to actually feel making those cuts and preparing myself for the game.”
Barkley said he isn’t thinking about the ankle when he is making those cuts, another positive sign. Sitting out wasn’t easy, especially the last two games — both losses against high-caliber defenses. Barkley could have made a difference in those setbacks to the Vikings and Patriots. Instead, he was a helpless bystander for the first one and watched the second one on television with fellow injured stars Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram.
“It sucks,” he said, “to be honest.”
But now, starting Sunday, he will almost certainly be back in there, playing a full game alongside rookie quarterback Daniel Jones for the first time.
Barkley was injured in the first half of Jones’ impressive first start, a come-from-behind, 32-31 win over the Buccaneers on Sept. 22. In the Giants’ last two games, Jones didn’t have the services of Barkley or even backup running back Wayne Gallman (concussion), handcuffing him without a ground game. Now it looks like he will have Barkley to provide much-needed support.
“I think the way I help him is just to come in and do what I do and be me,” Barkley said. “I think there’s a reason why the Giants drafted me here. I think that in one year I’ve gained a lot of attention and respect from not just the media, but from other players and coaches in the league. So, I think you’ve got to account for another person when I’m playing.”
For most of his 10-minute media session, Barkley was tossed the same question — will you play on Sunday? — in several different ways. He handled it well, smiling throughout, offering clues and hints.
This may have been the most obvious one:
“I feel like a little kid again,” Barkley said, “who gets to go out and play football.”