Skip to content

Giants won't rush Barkley back for Week 1

Mike Stobe / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The New York Giants are taking a cautious approach with Saquon Barkley's recovery from a torn ACL.

Barkley has been placed on the physically unable to perform list to open training camp, and the Giants won't guarantee the star running back will be ready for Week 1.

"We're thinking long term with Saquon; long term in the season, long term in his career," Giants head coach Joe Judge told ESPN's Jordan Raanan. "And by taking care of him individually, that is going to help our team long term as well. We're going to make sure when we get him out there we can keep him out there."

Barkley suffered the right knee injury - as well as damage to his meniscus - in Week 2 of last season. The recovery timeline is typically 10-12 months.

It was reported in April that he was on track to be ready for Week 1, but the Giants would prefer to be certain with the 24-year-old.

"We've got to make sure we do the best thing for him as we go along the way and make sure we make decisions based on his body and not some artificially anticipated timeline," Judge said. "When he's ready to go, that is when he's going to go out there."

The Giants open training camp Tuesday and host the Denver Broncos in Week 1 on Sept. 12.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox