One of the biggest questions entering the New York Giants training camp is the status of star running back Saquon Barkley’s knee.
But Barkley, while speaking to reporters at his annual football camp at West Essex High School in New Jersey, was coy about when he will practice or play again.
"I’ve been asked a lot. I guess that’s the theme of the summer, when I’ll be back. I don’t have an answer, to be honest," he said, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. "I’m not trying to lead it up to it, stuff like that or blow something up. I don’t have an answer. It’s a fun process but a tough process at the same time. So I’m excited to continue to listen to my body, listen to the trainers, listen to the coaches, and just take it day by day.”
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Barkley was also asked specifically about Week 1.
“I don’t know. We’ll see,” he said, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN. “Taking it day by day. Just listening to my body. Whenever I’m able to get out there, just make sure I’m 110 percent. Not just for…my well-being, but just so I go out there and compete at a high level and show the world who Saquon is.”
Barkley, 24, is rehabbing from an ACL tear he sustained in Week 2 last season against the Bears.
The former No. 2 overall pick has been posting images and videos of himself rehabbing and training but he has not yet had a conversation with head coach Joe Judge about how much he will be able to do once training camp starts.
Per Raanan, a source told ESPN last month that Barkley would not be a full go for the start of training camp, which he reports to on Thursday as a rehabbing player.
Barkley and the Giants have been cautious about putting timetables on anything since he first injured the knee last season.
“Kind of have to play that by ear,” Barkley said. “When it comes to rehab, rehab is never a straight line. Just play that by ear. Listen to your body, and whatever your body is telling you, go with that.”
Barkley did, however, compete in some drills with the kids at his camp on Monday.
“I’m a big kid at heart,” he said. “We were talking to see about how much I could do. I said I’m just going to go with the flow. I said probably my kid at heart would take over. Just have fun. And it means a lot. I’m just happy these kids came out. I thank the families for making these kids come out. I want to make sure that I leave a lasting impression.”
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