10 months after a season-ending knee injury, New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley might not still be ready to suit up for the opening week of the 2021 NFL season. According to Barkley as well as Giants head coach Joe Judge, they don't want to rush things when it comes to the 24-year-old's status.
“We’re really just watching day by day and evaluating where he’s at and affording him the ability to come back when he’s fully ready to go, because the plan is when we get him back to keep him back,” said Judge (via Pro Football Talk). “We don’t want to rush him back and do something that’s not best for him individually or best for the team, and we’re really taking a big picture and a long-term view of this.”
The former Offensive ROTY was looking to bounce back last season after slowing down in his second season in the league. Unfortunately, in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears, Barkley was carted off the field, and was later reported that the Pro Bowler partially tore the meniscus and strained the medical collateral ligament in his right knee. Barkley underwent surgery a month after.
“Look, ideally we’d love to have him back as soon as possible,” Judge added, “but ultimately we’ve got to make sure when he comes back he can play 100 percent; he can play aggressive and confident; and that we have him back. So that’s the approach we’re taking.”
There's no one else on the planet that would love to hit the ground running more than Barkley once the 2021 NFL season kicks off. But after that major knee injury, don't be surprised if Saquon and the rest of the camp take things slow.
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