Will NY Giants’ Saquon Barkley return vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

Saquon Barkley returned to practice for the NY Giants this week, for the first time since suffering an ankle injury that has sidelined him since a Week 5 loss to the Cowboys

Saquon Barkley has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury against the Dallas Cowboys back in Week 5, but that could be about to change, as the NY Giants’ running back returned to practice for the first time Monday.

While Barkley‘s injury has been classified as a low-ankle sprain, Giants head coach Joe Judge has offered few specifics about the running back’s condition over the past month, and Barkley has missed New York’s last four games.

That could be about to change.

“[Saquon] will be out there today doing some stuff with us,” Judge told reporters Monday. “And we’ll see how that kind of builds throughout the week.”

Saquon Barkley injury history and updates

When healthy, NY Giants running back Saquon Barkley is among the most dangerous players at his position in the NFL, but now has a lengthy injury history

The organization clearly believed, and hoped, that Barkley would be able to get back in action prior to a Week 9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders because Barkley was not placed on injured reserve.

Instead, the earliest Barkley could get back on the field is Monday night in Tampa Bay against the Buccaneers.

Barkley is averaging just 3.6 yards per carry, in his 54 rushing attempts this season for 195 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

The NY Giants will practice Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before flying to Tampa for Monday night’s game against the Buccaneers, which should give the team ample opportunity to evaluate where Barkley is in his rehab and whether he is able to suit up.