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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley broke another hurdle when he made his first contact in practice late last week without any issues, multiple sources said. at ESPN.
If all goes well in Wednesday’s padded practice, Barkley is expected to be on the field Sunday for the team’s Week 1 game against the Denver Broncos. His workload would still be limited as the Giants continue to take a long-term approach with their reigning star. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported last week that Barkley was going in the right direction to play against the Broncos, with only a late setback or the Giants potentially holding him back.
Barkley was in training and was on the move Monday afternoon.
“I can’t speak for him directly, but he was smiling today,” said coach Joe Judge.
The judge said “we’ll see a little more” of Barkley this week in practice. After that, a decision on the running back status for the season opener will be made later in the week.
“I want to see how he’s reacting to a few things physically in his body and make the best assessment for him this week and beyond that,” Judge said.
Barkley tore his ACL in his right knee last October, and the Giants have been very careful with their best offensive weapon this spring and summer. Barkley did not appear in a preseason game and did not participate in any live drills until less than two weeks ago, wearing a red non-contact jersey in New England.
Her first contact was on Thursday during a padded workout at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
“I felt great training and practicing with everyone on the team,” Barkley said afterwards. “I think it was really necessary. I’m just grateful to be out there and prepare for the season.”
This is especially encouraging news for the Giants and their attack with Barkley, wide receivers Kenny Golladay (hamstrings) and Kadarius Toney (hamstrings) and tight end Kyle Rudolph (foot) all pointed in the right direction for week 1.
Only tight end Evan Engram (calf) is at serious risk of missing Sunday’s game.
“A number of these guys are coming back right now, we’re upbeat for all of them,” Judge said. “We’ll see how they do this week in training.”
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