Pat Shurmur says Saquon Barkley could be back for Thursday’s game against Patriots

Just over two weeks removed from a high ankle sprain that was expected to sideline him for an extended period, Saquon Barkley could be ready to roll.

Speaking with reporters Monday, Giants head coach Pat Shurmur said that the injured star is “closer than he was last week.” When pressed on if Barkley could play on Thursday against the New England Patriots, Shurmur said, “There’s a possibility,” per Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York.

The 22-year-old running back was injured in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and original estimates had him possibly missing four to eight weeks of action. Videos of him running and cutting not long after the injury suggested that Barkley would be able to shatter that projection though.

Barkley himself admitted that he was offended by the lengthy timetable, and now it sounds like he is right on the cusp of making his return.