Report: Barkley on track to be ready for start of season
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is on track to be ready for the start of the 2021 season, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Barkley is rehabbing from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears.
Prior to the injury, Barkley rushed for 34 yards on 19 carries last season to go along with six receptions for 60 yards.
The 24-year-old tailback recorded back-to-back 1,000-plus-yard rushing seasons in 2018 and 2019. He's added 149 career receptions for 1,219 yards.
The Giants picked up the fifth-year option on Barkley's rookie deal Wednesday. The move guarantees his 2022 salary of $7.2 million while giving New York more time to negotiate a long-term extension with him.
The 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is entering the fourth year of his contract and is set to earn $4.8 million in 2021.
Barkley's return would provide a jolt to a Giants offense that's also added key free-agent signings in receiver Kenny Golladay and tight end Kyle Rudolph.