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The New York Giants might be getting a lot healthier as they begin to prepare for a Week 7 home game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Saquon Barkley
The star running back tweeted Sunday night that he would be “back soon” from his high ankle sprain. Barkley was on the field during the opening portion of practice open to media.
“We’ll see when he comes in tomorrow he feels,” said coach Pat Shurmur. “We’ll just have to see (about Sunday).”
Barkley has missed three games since suffering the injury.
Evan Engram
After missing one game with a sprained MCL Engram could be on track to return vs. the Cardinals. Engram said Monday he was “pretty optimistic” about being ready to play.
Engram said he didn’t feel this MCL sprain was as severe as the one that cost him three games a year ago.
“I feel really good. Got out there [in practice], was running around. It was good to get out there moving around. I’ve got a long week to get ready, so coach is taking care of us, but we did get some good work in. It felt good today,” he said.
“Definitely last week was tough, and the short week didn’t really help, but today with the rest that I got, I felt really good.”
Shurmur said Engram “did a lot” during practice.
Evan Engram says he is “pretty optimistic” about his chances to play Sunday vs Cardinals. Felt good today. MCL sprain, but not as serious and in opposite knee as last season’s injury that kept him out multiple weeks. #NYGiants pic.twitter.com/iPO5K9ngt0
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) October 14, 2019
Sterling Shepard
Perhaps most surprising of all was the news that Shepard, less than two weeks after a second concussion this season, was running routes during the individual part of practice. Shepard is expected to be out multiple weeks.
“He was out here practicing, doing what he can do,” Shurmur said. “That’s it.”
Shepard remains in the concussion protocol.
“Any time there’s an individual in the protocol or coming back from a concussion the doctors will let us know when they’re allowed to be playing,” Shurmur said. “So, that’s that.
“He’s in the protocol and when he’s able to play our doctors will let us know that, and he’ll be playing.”
Odds ‘n ends
- Shurmur said Sam Beal, on IR/Designated to Return, will begin practicing on Wednesday. The Giants have to decide whether or not to activate him by Week 9.
- Shurmur did not second-guess the decision to wait until this week to add a veteran running back.
- Running back Wayne Gallman (concussion) remains in the protocol.