Google News Giants' Saquon Barkley trending in right direction to play in Week 1
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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley can't wait to make his comeback but he remains patient and listens to the doctors and coaches. Barkley suffered a season-ending torn ACL injury in Week 2 of last season but he appears to be ready to play in Week 1 of the 2021 season.
On Thursday, Barkley participated in his first contact practice since undergoing a surgery for the torn ACL. "This whole process I've been a team player listening to the doctors, listening to the coaches, listening to the trainers, knowing that they have my best interest at heart," Barkley said, per ESPN.
"Whatever they feel that is best for me and best for the team, I'm willing to do." Barkley insists that nothing can't happen overnight as he underlined that he will have to work hard in order to return to his old form. "I guess.
I feel good. Taking it one day at a time," Barkley said. "I'm just not even trying to think about do I look like my old self. I'm a very confident player. I know whenever I'm able to get back out there -- maybe it might be one quarter, maybe it might be one play -- whatever the opportunity is, when I'm back out there, I know I'm going to be able to go out there and be who I am and play how I am.
"Right now, I'm not focusing on if I'm making cuts, saying, 'Is that how it was before?' I'm focusing on getting in football shape, just living in the moment, enjoying the moment and playing football again."
Barkley hopes to be ready for Week 1
"Do I feel like I'm close? It's been almost 11, 12 months since I've been in a football game, so right now, obviously, there's still some work to be done, to be put in because obviously I've only been practicing for two to three days," Barkley said.
"That's why I've got to be a pro outside of football, within football and getting myself ready." Meanwhile, Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay worked in live drills at full speed for the first time since he pulled up lame on August 3.
"I feel like each day I'm getting better," Golladay said. "So, right now I'm just taking it day by day, trying to stack good days on top of each other." Golladay is also trending in the right direction to play in Week 1.
"It's only day two, really like a day and a half for me," Golladay said. "I've got some time. I'm going to keep working and hope for the best."