Giants RB Saquon Barkley fullgo at practice

The wait for Saquon Barkley may finally be over for the New York Giants. The 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year was a full-go at practice Wednesday, increasing the likelihood he will play against the Arizona Cardinals (2-3-1) this weekend. It will be the first time the running back has played since sustaining a high sprain to his right ankle on Sept. 22 against Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Coach Pat Shurmur said the team would watch Barkley in practice the rest of the week before determining whether he will play. Barkley was not in the locker room to comment. He usually talks to the media on Thursdays. The Giants (2-4) also might get tight end Evan Engram back Sunday. He also practiced fully Wednesday and said he ran and cut on his injured knee without any problem. The offense has struggled in recent losses to Minnesota and New England, averaging 212 yards. Barkley, Engram, top wide receiver Sterling Shepard and backup running back Wayne Gallman missed the game against the undefeated Patriots. While they are only a game behind Dallas and Philadelphia (3-3) in the NFC East, quarterback Daniel Jones said the team needs to get back on track. “I think we’re always going to feel the urgency to fix things we haven’t done as well,” Jones said. “To improve, I think that should always be there. Starting today at practice, really starting Monday at practice, I think there’s an urgency and a sense of making sure we prepare as well as we possibly can, so we can play as well as we possibly can.” The game will feature Jones, the No. 6 overall pick in the draft, against Cardinals rookie Kyler Murray, the top pick. The Giants have scored 24 points in the past two games. Barkley, the No. 2 overall pick in last year’s draft, adds a dimension to the offense with his ability to run and catch passes. He had 37 carries for 237 yards (a 6.4 yard average) before being hurt late in the first half against the Bucs. Gallman, Jon Hilliman and Eli Penny, who all ran in his absence, have 68 carries for 234 yards, or a 3.44 yard average. Having Barkley back is akin to adding a home run hitter to the lineup. “That’s our boy,” guard Will Hernandez said of Barkley after practice. “We’re excited to have him back. We’re going to keep working. We have been working and we are going to let him do his thing. Let him do his magic.” Engram is the same way. Before being hurt against Minnesota, he had teamhighs of 33 catches for 373 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers still lead the team despite missing the Thursday night game. “I was pretty down about missing last Thursday,” Engram said. “I am definitely really hungry and going out there and getting out there is going to be fun. I’ll be a kid in the candy shop again.” Shepard and Gallman were limited at practice Wednesday. They have concussions. It’s the second of the year for Shepard. Giants cornerback Sam Beal was designated for return. He has been on the injured reserve since the start of the season. The Giants have 21 days to decide whether to add him to the roster. Fellow corner Corey Ballentine, the primary kickoff returner, did not practice because of a concussion. The team said he has been having headaches since the Patriots’ game.

Jets hopeful Mosley closer to return from groin injury

The next step in C.J. Mosley’s return will come on the practice field Thursday. The Jets are planning to have the star linebacker participate in individual drills this week as he continues to recover from a groin injury that has sidelined him since the season opener. But whether he’ll be healthy enough to play Monday night against New England remains uncertain. “I’m hopeful for (Thursday), that he’ll be able to do individual (drills) and just kind of see how it goes,” coach Adam Gase said at the team’s facility in Florham Park, New Jersey. “I think we’re just taking this minute-to-minute.” Mosley was hurt in the third quarter in New York’s 17-16 loss to Buffalo. The veteran linebacker’s injury was worse than initially thought and Mosley has yet to practice since. “At the end of the day, we want to make the right decision, whatever we decide to do,” Gase said. “I think this is just going to be more than just me saying, ‘Hey, it looks good,’ and the trainers. I think this is going to be full organization, C.J. involved, as far as what’s the best thing for him.” Mosley signed a five-year, $85 million deal with the Jets in March after playing his first five NFL seasons in Baltimore. He made an immediate impact for New York with an interception returned for a touchdown and a fumble recovery against the Bills but was hurt while knocking away a pass in the end zone with 4:04 left in the third quarter. The Jets were clearly affected by Mosley’s absence, with the Bills scoring 17 unanswered points without him on the field. Backup Neville Hewitt has done a solid job filling in with 38 total tackles and two sacks, but Mosley adds an experienced leader on defense. “As impactful as getting a starting quarterback back,” Gase said. “It’s that impactful.”

Raiders T Trent Brown sued for domestic violence

Oakland Raiders tackle Trent Brown has been sued by his ex-girlfriend for what she says were multiple acts of domestic violence over the past year. Diorra Marzette-Sanders filed a civil suit in Alameda County Superior Court on Tuesday accusing him of several attacks that left her bloodied, bruised and fearing for her safety. According to the lawsuit, Marzette-Sanders accused the 6-foot-8, 380-pound Brown of slapping her, hitting her and choking her at different times and threatening to shoot her in the “head before you walk out that door with my son.” Brown denied the accusations. “I am aware that my ex-girlfriend has filed a civil suit against me,” Brown wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. “I deny the claims. They are false. I believe in the court system where I will clear my name. I will not be making any further comment at this time.” Marzette-Sanders said the two began dating in March 2017 and had a son together last January. She said the two had a “non-marital partnership agreement” and she moved around the country to be with Brown before he kicked her out of their home in Texas in June. Marzette-Sanders is requesting a jury trial and is seeking unspecified compensation, including punitive damages. Raiders coach Jon Gruden said the team was aware of the suit and was looking into it. He had no further comment. An NFL spokesman said the league would take the matter under review. Pro Football Talk first reported the lawsuit.