Saquon Barkley: “I do not know if I’m playing” vs. Patriots

Will Saquon Barkley play for the New York Giants on Thursday against the New England Patriots, just 18 days after suffering a high ankle sprain? I am already on record as saying the star running back should not, but my opinion doesn’t matter to Barkley, coach Pat Shurmur or the Giants organization.

Barkley was listed Tuesday as a limited participant in practice, the first time since he suffered the injury that he has been listed as something other than “Did Not Practice.”

Asked if he would play, Barkley deflected.

“That’s my mindset, continue to go out there for my team, play at a high level for my team, that’s the way I have been approaching this thing,” said.

Does he, though, feel good enough to play?

“I think anyone is going to say they feel good enough to play,” Barkley said. “Everyone keeps asking me if I am 100 percent. Not to be rude, but it’s Week 5. No one is going to be 100 percent, that’s the NFL. That’s what happens in the sport that you play, the sport that I love.”

Barkley doesn’t yet know what his status will be for Thursday.

“I do not know if I’m playing Thursday night. There is no decision yet,” he said. “I know you guys asked Coach (Shurmur), I know there are reports out there that I’m not going to play. It didn’t come from my mouth and it didn’t come from Coach Shurmur’s mouth, so I don’t know how that story happened.”

After Thursday the Giants have 10 days before they have to face the Arizona Cardinals.