Getty Saquon Barkley was initially expected to miss several weeks with an ankle injury.
Saquon Barkley’s return from an ankle injury appears to be on the fast track as Giants head coach Pat Shurmur noted that the running back has not been ruled out for Week 5 against the Vikings. The Athletic’s Dan Duggan reported that Barkley still has a chance to play on Sunday.
“Shurmur said they’re going to bring Saquon back “as quickly and as smartly as possible.” He reiterates that a return on Sunday is possible,” Duggan tweeted.
Duggan previously reported that the Giants’ timeline is likely faster than the eight-week recovery that was widely circulated after the injury.
“Shurmur said some people’s doctors said eight weeks on Saquon, but not his. He wouldn’t reveal his doctor’s timeline,” Duggan noted on Twitter.
Barkley Returned From an Ankle Injury at Penn State in Just 2 Weeks
Barkley does have a history of returning quickly from injuries. After sustaining the injury against the Bucs, Barkley noted that he was able to return from a similar ankle setback at Penn State in just two weeks. SNY.TV detailed Barkley’s comments after the injury.
The good news is that Barkley insisted, “I’m not out for the season.” He also said he had a high ankle sprain as a freshman at Penn State and only missed two weeks. Every sprain is different, and the Giants have their fingers crossed for good news out of his MRI on Monday. But a one month absence seems likely, and they’ll have to really pray that it doesn’t become two.
“Some people’s doctor’s had him at eight weeks. Not my doctors,” Shurmur told the New York Daily News.
The Giants Running Back Already Returned to the Practice Field
Barkley has already returned to the Giants’ practice field causing some to believe the running back’s return will be sooner rather than later. The above video surfaced of Barkley jogging and appeared to be making cuts on the ankle.
“Saquon Barkley (high ankle) back on the field stretching with his teammates and seems to be moving well. He worked on the side and did some sprints + cutting w/trainer afterwards while the media was present,” ESPN’s Jordan Raanan tweeted.
After the injury, Barkley promised to come back “ten times better” than he was before.
“I promise you I’m coming back 10 times better and I’m going to try to return as quickly as possible, whenever it is to heal, so I can get back to help my team compete,” Barkley explained to NorthJersey.com. “That’s what I’m going to try to do.”
Golden Tate Returns From Suspension in Week 5 for the Giants
It’s Showtime! Welcome back, Golden Tate
The Giants already know that wide receiver Golden Tate will return this week after serving a four-game suspension. Tate noted he is “ready to get back to work” after the layoff.
“I’m excited to be back,” Tate said, per New York Giants. “I had a big smile on my face yesterday and today. I missed these guys. I’m ready to get back to work. Here we go.”
