EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – New York Giants Saquon Barkley and wide receiver Kenny Golladay took part in a padded practice on Thursday, and Barkley made some seemingly incident-free contact for the first time since the ACL was ripped off at the right knee 11 months ago.
It was the last step in Barkley’s progression and mandatory before entering a game, according to coach Joe Judge. The Giants open the season on Sept. 12 against the Denver Broncos.
“We did a normal practice safely, and we just talked to the boys and [they] he gave me good shots, “Barkley said afterwards.” But it is so [about] run routes and run routes just to get me back to the flow of things so I guess you could say yes [I took my first hit].
“But [Thursday] I felt good practicing and practicing with all the team members. Think it was definitely necessary. Just grateful to be here and prepare for the season. “
Barkley will have to go through another fully padded practice next week before doctors accept him. The Giants don’t practice again until Monday.
Barkley is in the right direction and has a lot of chances to play the first week against Denver, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. There is optimism, but the Giants have been cautious and could still slow it down. Ultimately, it will be a team-led decision.
“All this process I’ve been a team player listening to the doctors, listening to the coaches, listening to the coaches, knowing they have my best interest,” Barkley said. “I’m willing to do what they think is best for me and best for the team.”
On August 9, Barkley was activated by the list of physically disabled to perform for the first time during joint practice with the New England Patriots while wearing a contactless red T-shirt.
On Thursday he threw on the red shirt for the first time in live exercises. Did he feel like his old self in the field?
“I guess. I feel good. Take it one day at a time,” Barkley said. “I don’t even try to think about it, it looks like my old self. I’m a very confident player. I always know when I can go back, maybe it can be a quarter, maybe it can be a play: whatever the opportunity, when I am back, I know I will be able to get out there and be who I am and play as I am.
“Right now, I don’t focus on whether I’m making cuts, saying,‘ Was that the case before? “I’m concentrating on getting in the shape of football, just living the moment, enjoying the moment and playing football again.”
There is not much time left. The Giants have 10 days and only four practices before the start of the season. Only one with full pads is expected. Overcoming it would help Barkley to be very close to being ready for the first week.
“Do I feel close? It’s been almost 11, 12 months since I’ve been involved in a football game, so now obviously there’s still work to be done, because obviously it’s only been two or three days since I practice, ”he said. “That’s why I have to be professional outside of football, inside of football and prepare.”
The same goes for Golladay. He returned Tuesday to do situational practice and on Thursday marked the first time Golladay has been in the field working on live exercises at full speed since he started lame on Aug. 3. It also seemed to move well and without limitations. , although it has not yet indicated exactly that its explosiveness has just returned.
“I feel like I’m getting better every day,” Golladay said. “So right now I’m taking it day in and day out, trying to stack good days on top of each other.”
The Giants had been without most of their key offensive additions for most of this summer. Newly fitted Kyle Rudolph (foot) and rookie receiver Kadarius Toney (COVID-19 and hamstrings) have also recently returned.
It looks like they are all tending in the right direction during week 1. But they have not yet reached any final checkpoint.
“It’s only the second day, it’s really a day and a half for me,” Golladay said. “I have some time. I will keep working and hope for the best.”