EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Saquon Barkley and Oshane Ximines participated in practice for the first time in training camp when the Giants returned to the field on Monday at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
Barkley, the fourth-year running back who is one of the team's best and most important players, and Ximines, a third-year outside linebacker, have been on the physically unable to perform/active list since camp began last month.
Injuries limited the pair of players to a total of just six games last season.
Barkley tore his right ACL in Chicago on Sept. 20. He underwent surgery on Oct. 30 and has since diligently rehabilitated with the goal of returning to action as soon as possible. During camp, he has worked out with the other PUP and injured/rehabbing players under the direction of the Giants' athletic trainers and performance staff. Barkley has been running and cutting and will now get to work with his teammates.
The 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Barkley is one of the NFL's very best running backs. In 31 career games, he has rushed for 2,344 yards, a 4.7-yard average and 17 touchdowns, and caught 149 passes, including six for scores. He has amassed 3,563 yards from scrimmage.
Once fully healthy, Barkley will step to the front of a running backs group that includes Devontae Booker, Corey Clement, rookie Gary Brightwell and Alfred Morris, who was re-signed last week.
Check out photos of Giants star running back Saquon Barkley as he works with trainers on the field during training camp.
Ximines injured his shoulder on Oct. 4 against the Rams in Los Angeles. He was placed on injured reserve five days later. Ximines returned to practice on Nov. 23, but the shoulder continued to be an issue and he underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff on Nov. 30.
As a rookie in 2019, Ximines played in all 16 games with two starts and finished with 24 tackles (11 solo), including 4.5 sacks, which tied him with Lorenzo Carter for second on the team. In an unfortunate coincidence, Carter tore his Achilles tendon the week after Ximines went down, leaving the Giants without two promising young pass rushers for the majority of the season.
Carter has been on the field since the beginning of camp. The Giants selected two edge rushers in the 2021 NFL Draft, Azeez Ojulari from Georgia (Carter's alma mater) and Elerson Smith of Northern Iowa. They also have second-year pros Carter Coughlin and Tae Crowder, who have also worked at inside linebacker.
Six players were placed on the PUP/active list when camp began and two remain there: tight end Kyle Rudolph and rookie cornerback Aaron Robinson, the team's fifth-round draft choice.
The Giants open their preseason schedule Saturday night against the Jets.
View photos of Giants running back Saquon Barkley's time with the New York Giants.
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