When would New York Giants rookie running back Saquon Barkley, sidelined since last Monday with a hamstring injury, return to practice? Everyone has been asking coach Pat Shurmur about that for days.
Well, Wednesday was the day. Shurmur apparently meandered over to reporters attending practice early in the session to tell them Barkley had been cleared for individual drills. Here is visual evidence that Barkley also did some of the walk-through phase of practice.
Visual confirmation that Saquon Barkley is doing individual drills. In this case, a walkthrough. #Giants pic.twitter.com/Sb7SGw5GGk
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) August 22, 2018
Barkley looking explosive picking up a blitz pic.twitter.com/LyamQqIeaI
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) August 22, 2018
He’s baaaaaack. Saquon Barkley in #giants drills pic.twitter.com/55lz7rPzEJ
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) August 22, 2018
26 in white #Saquon pic.twitter.com/jxceOlmuSp
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) August 22, 2018
Barkley did not play last Friday against the Detroit Lions. The second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft would also seem unlikely to take any snaps on Friday against the New York Jets.
“It felt good”
“It felt good to actually participate in indy’s (individual drills) and a little bit in practice drills. Like I said, been feeling really good, feeling strong, continue to strengthen it. The strength and the trainers have been doing a great job with me, conditioning me a little bit over there too, making sure I’m continuing to get ready for the game or the next time I’m able to play. Just felt great to be back out there.”
That was Barkley talking to the media after Wednesday’s practice.
Barkley said he thought he would be fine for the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars even if he doesn’t get reps in the two remaining preseason games.
“Obviously I would love to be out there and to play as quickly as I can, but that’s part of the game. Injuries are a part of the game. That’s even in the role or position I am right now,” Barkley said. “There’s some guys that don’t take as much reps as they would like and still have to go out there every single week and produce. I have to take that mindset and when my time is called and when I’m able to play, I need to be 100 percent ready.”