Saquon Barkley status updated for Thursday Night Football

New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley will be active for the Giants Thursday Night Football matchup with division rival Washington Football Team.

The team listed Barkley as questionable on Wednesday as the team remains cautious with their star player after Barkley tore his ACL in the Giants’ week two loss to the Chicago Bears in 2020.

Saquon Barkley played just 29 snaps in New York’s week one loss to the Denver Broncos and had just 11 touches for 27 yards.

The Giants will be without linebacker Cam Brown who is dealing with a hamstring injury and tight end Evan Engram who is out with a calf injury on Thursday.

Barkley will face a tough test once again on Thursday in Washington’s defensive front. In Washington’s week one loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Washington’s defense held the Chargers to just 90 rushing yards, averaging 3.1 yards per rush. Washington’s defensive front features the likes of defensive end Chase Young, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, defensive end Montez Sweat and defensive tackle Daron Payne.

The Penn State product is in his fourth season in the league. In his first two seasons, Saquon Barkley recorded 2,310 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging just under five yards per carry. Barkley also recorded 1,159 receiving and six touchdowns, averaging 8.2 yards per catch in his first two years.

At Penn State, Saquon Barkley had a legendary career. Barkley recorded 3,843 rushing yards and 43 touchdowns in three seasons. In passing game, Barkley recorded 1,195 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Barkley even contributed on special teams, recording 423 kick return yards and two touchdowns as a senior.

Barkley was a consensus All-American in 2017, won the Paul Hornung Award and helped the Nittany Lions to a Fiesta Bowl victory over Sam Darnold and the USC Trojans.