Barkley coy about playing Sunday, practices fully again
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Dynamic running back Saquon Barkley is being coy about his chances of playing for the New York Giants on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Barkley was a full go in practice on Thursday for the second straight day, and most expect the second-year running back to play on Sunday for the first time since hurting his right ankle on Sept. 22 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"I'm just going to continue to take it day by day and trust my teammates, trust the process, trust the trainers, and like I said, continue to take it day by day," Barkley said after the workout.
Barkley was asked about five different ways if he was going to play and sidestepped each question. It seems the only people who can say whether he is playing are coach Pat Shurmur and the team's doctors.
Shurmur is taking a wait-and-see attitude, and the doctors don't talk to the media.
There is no doubt Barkley is anxious to get back on the field. He rushed for 237 yards with a 6.4-yard average per carry and a touchdown in the Giants' first 2½ games. The running game has slowed with him out.
"Even when I'm done playing this game one day, I'm always going to want to be out there because you love this game and this is a game that I grew up watching and grew up wanting to do, and I get to wake up every single morning and live my dream," Barkley said. "So, obviously it's very fun coming in here and getting in a lot of hard work in the weight room and in practice and in film, but I think the most fun is going out there and competing with your brothers, so that's what I'm most excited to be able to do."
The Giants (2-4) and Cardinals (2-3-1) will announce their final injury report Friday.
Running back Wayne Gallman and defensive tackle Olsen Pierre practiced fully Thursday. Both players were in the concussion protocol. Gallman was hurt against Minnesota on Oct. 6 and Pierre was injured four days later against New England.
Wide receiver Sterling Shepard, who also was hurt against the Vikings, is still in the concussion protocol and will likely not play Sunday.
Kick returner and cornerback Corey Ballentine also is unlikely with a concussion against the Patriots a week ago.
