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Saquon Barkley returns to practice for first time since devastating knee injury

Scott Schultz

By Scott Schultz

Published:

It was a good sign for New York Giants fans on Monday as running back Saquon Barkley returned to the practice field. The former Penn State star tore his ACL in his right knee early last season.

Barkley has been optimistic about being ready to go on Week 1, but the Giants are planning to slowly ramp him up over the next few weeks. Everything has been trending in the right direction, but he will not be thrown into live drills, and likely will sit out upcoming joint practices with the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns.

Barkley did participate in individual drills and teaching lessons, and even ran routes for quarterback Daniel Jones in addition to taking some handoffs behind the first-team O-line.

After being the No. 2 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Barkley went on to have a record-breaking rookie season, carrying for 2,028 total yards. But his next two years were marred by injuries, and he has only played in 15 of New York’s last 32 games.

Prior to his injury in Week 2 last season against the Chicago Bears, he had only 34 rushing yards on 19 carries. With the progress being made, Barkley feels positive about being able to play come the season opener at home on Sept. 12 against the Denver Broncos.

Scott Schultz

Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.