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In the last several days, the New York Giants have kept a close eye on the health of rookie running back Saquon Barkley, who is dealing with a bit of a hamstring issue.
Things have progressed in the right direction with his involvement on the practice field picking up in training camp. Barkley has voiced to Josina Anderson of ESPN his hamstring is feeling better and expects to be on the field for Week 1 action against the Baltimore Ravens.
Just spoke to #Giants RB Saquon Barkley after the game. He told me his hamstring feels “good.” He said with more precautionary treatment and time he feels he’ll be good for Week 1 vs the #Jaguars. Adding, “if I’m not that would be a problem.”
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 25, 2018
The Giants have been moving cautiously with the injury in order to avoid any setbacks and will likely include keeping him out of the rest of the preseason. New York is counting on Barkley to be a major factor out of the backfield as a starter who can provide another element to the offense behind his explosive ability as a runner and receiver.
The 21-year-old had shown a glimpse of that in the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, where he had an impressive 39-yard run; breaking free from several defenders with his elusive moves to create space down the sideline. The Giants will give him every opportunity to vie for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
All of this will first hinge on how his body continues to respond over the next couple of weeks prior to the start of the regular season. That said, this latest comments certainly sound like he's on the right track to being on the field for Week 1.
