Saquon Barkley is waiting on the 'ok' to play from GIants
Saquon Barkley is patiently waiting to hear that he’s clear to play in New York’s season opener. After Friday’s practice, Barkley met with reporters and talked about his status for this week’s game against the Denver Broncos.
“We had a great practice as a team,” Barkley said Friday, via Art Stapleton of northjersey.com. “If they feel like it’s ready for me to go, I’m ready to go.”
Barkley has been making his way back from a torn ACL that he suffered in a week two loss against the Chicago Bears. The 2018 rookie of the year had over 1,000 yards rushing in each of his first two seasons. In his rookie season, he also was selected to the pro-bowl.
Since his successful surgery to repair his ACL, the Giants have taken a slow and patient approach to get him back on the field. New York is doing everything possible to make sure there are no setbacks in Barkley’s recovery.
Later in the interview, he also addressed whether staying patient through the recovery process was difficult.
“It hasn’t been a challenge [staying patient], just sticking to the game plan,” Barkley said. “I knew this was going to be a tough rehab process with what happened to my knee. It wasn’t going to be easy to get back. But I made a promise to myself that I’m not going to rush it. I’m gonna be a team player and listen to everyone I’m working with; I’m not the expert in this area. Only thing I can do is attack it full speed, work my butt off to get the best opportunity [for a comeback].”
The last hurdle Barkley had to clear in order to play Sunday was to make it through Friday’s practice with no setbacks. No word has been given by team officials, but Barkley admittedly believes that he did not suffer any setback Friday or throughout this week’s practice. The Giants still have him listed as questionable and have yet to give word on if he’ll play or not. But there is no need for New York to release the status of Barkley for the game.
Everything does look in line for the fourth-year running back to make his return from that devastating knee injury from last year. The only thing he and the Giants faithful are waiting for is a thumbs up from the coaching staff.