Saquon Barkley activated from COVID-list amid NY Giants spate of false positives

Saquon Barkley has a chance to suit up for the NY Giants Sunday against the Raiders, if his injured ankle allows it

The NY Giants activated running back Saquon Barkley from the COVID-19 list Friday, as the team continues to work through a spate of false-positive tests this week.

Barkley’s availability for Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders, remains uncertain, as he continues to work his way back from an ankle injury suffered against the Dallas Cowboys back in Week 5.

The NY Giants held all meetings virtually via Zoom Thursday, as the organization figured out what was going on with its rapid Mesa test by BioReference Laboratories and temporarily suspending the use of that particular test.

"“I’ve told the coaches and players that everyone’s got to be ready,” NY Giants head coach Joe Judge told reporters Thursday. “I’ve told the coaches we could get to Sunday morning and they could tell us we’ve lost a dozen people. I don’t want to hear any excuses.”"

As the NY Giants and the rest of the NFL continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing protocols, issues such as New York’s false positives and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers testing positive after misleading the public he had been vaccinated are a reminder that the pandemic is not yet eradicated.

For the NY Giants, and Barkley, Friday’s practice could go a long way in determining whether he is able to play Sunday afternoon. But, it will be the ankle rather than protocols that keep him out of the lineup, if he’s unable to go.