Saquon Barkley aims for Giants opener after training camp debut

A few guys greeted him with a “Whoa, who is this?” As he entered the field. Hands were outstretched and introductions made by players he already knew quite well.

“It’s just fun to be there, that’s what you miss,” Saquon Barkley said on Monday as he took a big step forward on his return from reconstructive knee surgery. “Some of the guys on the defensive side can’t wait to get their hands on me because I say a lot of bullshit when attacking and defending goes.”

No one will get their hands on Barkley anytime soon, but the smile on the star’s face running back revealed some relief that he’s finally back in his place. The Giants activated Barkley from the physically unable to play roster and he made his training camp debut in a practice that wasn’t even complete. Barkley took part in individual drills, caught passes from Daniel Jones to the side and also caught a good-humored grief from his teammates who were delighted to see him back among them.

Starting this next phase, Barkley has five weeks to show that his right knee can withstand the blows it needs to be able to take before the decision is made whether or not to release it on September 12 in the opening game of the regular season against the Broncos.

“Yeah, I’d say it’s a good time,” Barkley said. “I think I know what you’re trying to do with me and get ready for the regular season. I don’t even think about it. I just wanted to be able to go out, train and play football again with my teammates, and I’m very lucky today is today. ”

Of course, you know Barkley has an eye on Game 1, even as he takes it slow and steady, and makes sure to listen to his coaches, coaches and Giants medical staff.

“Definitely hopeful,” he said.

Barkley fell early in the second quarter on September 20 in Chicago, suffering from a tear in the right anterior cruciate ligament and damage to the meniscus. After strengthening the area around the knee, Barkley underwent reconstructive surgery to repair the ACL and partially torn meniscus on October 30. He missed the last 14 games of the season.

He watched a lot for two weeks at camp and finally had enough. Barkley pushed for more, and on Saturday he was told he would indeed get more.

“I got to a point in rehab where running over there against trash cans and cutting cones and all that is good, but now I can start reacting against the other athletes,” said Barkley.

It will continue to be a slow ramp-up.

“As they continue to give Saquon the green light to do more and more, we’re going to let him do more and more,” said coach Joe Judge.

“There’s not much you can do at any given time with the coaches and strength coaches on the court on your own. It’s time to move him forward and as long as they say it’s safe for him to do so, we’ll keep pushing. ”

The judge acknowledged that Barkley had “been stamping his foot for some time” and that the time had come to put him in the dance.

Barkley said at one point he must have asked full-back Eli Penny where he was supposed to line up during warm-ups. “Kind of like a rookie over there again,” Barkley said.

There won’t be any seven-on-seven work or 11-on-11 team action for Barkley just yet. The Giants open their preseason with a Saturday night game against the Jets, and Barkley won’t play. He also might not play in the two remaining preseason games after that.

The judge said ‘theoretically yes’ when asked if he would be comfortable playing Barkley in a preseason game – which the judge did not do with a healthy Barkley last summer.

“Am I looking to put Saquon into something that won’t be in his best interest?” The judge said. “Absolutely not, but at some point the medics say, ‘He’s ready to play,’ and if we have the opportunity to bring him in at some point, we will. But I’m not going to rush this timeline. . ”

Barkley said he would do as he was told to do, noting that he had prepared for his first three seasons in the NFL with little to no work in preseason games.

As for getting ready for the real first game, Barkley said ‘I don’t know’ and then revealed a bit more, looking relieved to be back on the training ground and confident in what he can show. by the kickoff against the Broncos. .

“You know how I am as a competitor, I’m pretty sure you know what my thought process is,” he said.

His thought process is to play. There are five weeks left.