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Barkley plans to train with Beckham as both rehab from ACL injuries

Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. are planning to join forces this offseason to continue to rehab from torn ACLs that prematurely ended both their 2020 seasons.

"Only thing I do know that I have planned for sure, I'm definitely going to link up with (Odell)," Barkley told ESPN's Jordan Raanan. "Obviously Odell tore his knee a little too. I think we both need just being there. We're really good friends. Competing with each other and pushing each other will also be good too. That's the only thing I know for certain I will do. Everything else is up in the air."

Barkley and Beckham developed a friendship during their lone campaign together in New York in 2018 and continue to speak regularly.

The two star players are in similar places in their rehabilitation timeline as Barkley underwent surgery on Oct. 30 and Beckham had his procedure on Nov. 10.

Barkley left an open invitation for other NFLers who suffered significant knee injuries this season to join him and Beckham for training.

"Every year we always link up with him at some point, somewhere. Definitely going to find a way to link up," Barkley said. "Obviously I would love to, any of those guys that are going through this injury, whether it's Joe (Burrow), (Devin) Bush, Bud (Dupree), there are a couple guys, any guy, I think it would be really dope if we could all link up."

Barkley will be entering a pivotal fourth year in NFL in 2021 and is eligible for a contract extension this offseason. However, he'll likely try to produce another standout campaign to maximize his value.

The 2018 draft's No. 2 pick racked up 2,310 rushing yards, 1,159 receiving yards, and 23 total touchdowns over his first two seasons.

Meanwhile, Beckham will presumably also be looking to remind the NFL world of his talents in 2021. The wideout had a below-par first year in Cleveland in 2018 and was on pace for just a 730-yard campaign before suffering his injury in Week 7.

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