Saquon Barkley was limited to just 10 carries and one reception in Sunday’s loss to the Broncos, and the running back’s first game in nearly a year.
For Barkley, who saw game action for the first time since tearing his ACL in Week 2 of last season, his presence on the field alone was a reason to celebrate, despite the disappointing outcome.
“I just missed being out there,” Barkley said after Tuesday’s practice. “Everything that comes along with it when you don’t play football for a long time. Accomplished that milestone getting back out there. Obviously I was upset about the loss, but my mom and dad and family members helped me realize that I was able to come out of the game healthy. My goal was to play Week 1, and I did that. Now, it goes on from there.”
Now, the attention turns to Thursday night, which will give Barkley just three full days off before New York visits Washington. Barkley was brought back to full strength with extreme caution during training camp, as the Giants played it safe with their star playmaker, but now, with a crucial division game waiting, head coach Joe Judge and the training staff will have to decide what Barkley’s usage will be in a quick turnaround following his first game back since major knee surgery.
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“I don't think the schedule is ideal for coming back off a major knee injury, to have two games back-to-back, but that's what it is,” Barkley said. “That’s what’s in front of me, and that’s the challenge I have to face.
“It’s easy for me to stand up here and say ‘I don’t know, I’ll listen to the coaches.’ But when you’re in the game and your adrenaline is going and you’re in a rhythm and start feeling yourself again, that can go from less reps to more reps. I don’t know, to be honest. I don’t make that decision. I’m just playing my role from showing up Thursday for the plays that I do get, and try to help my team to the best of my capability.”
Barkley was listed as limited for Tuesday’s practice after rushing for 26 yards in Sunday’s loss, where a lot of New York’s issues from last season appeared in a 27-13 loss to Denver. The biggest win for New York was Barkley coming out of the game healthy, but the team as a whole will have to be a lot better to pull back to .500 on Thursday.
“We have the talent,” Barkley said. “We have the playmakers…We have so much talent on this team. We just have to go out there and capitalize so that we can show our talent and show how special we can be as an offense and as a team as a whole.”
Barkley is certainly one of those capable playmakers, but it remains to be seen how much of an impact he will be able to have on Thursday night.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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