It is all systems go for Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram, as the Giants are getting two of their most explosive offensive players back in the lineup for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals.
Barkley (high ankle sprain) and Engram (sprained knee) were full participants in Wednesday’s practice. Barkley missed the past three games and Engram sat out Thursday’s loss to the Patriots. Having them back on the field figures to be a boon for rookie quarterback Daniel Jones.
“It’s gonna be good getting back out there,’’ Engram said. “I was pretty down about missing last Thursday and I’m definitely really hungry and excited about getting back out there. It’s gonna be fun. I’m gonna be a kid in the candy shop again.
Engram said he was able to make his normal cuts and movements and “everything felt real good.’’
Receiver Sterling Shepard is in the concussion protocol for the second time this season. Given that he suffered two concussions so close together, it is unlikely Shepard will be cleared to play Sunday.
Shepard, running back Wayne Gallman and defensive lineman Olsen Pierre, all in the concussion protocol, all were non-contact participants in practice. That is one of the final steps a player must undertake before getting cleared.
It seems a week does not go by without another player added to the concussion protocol. Rookie CB Corey Ballentine was placed in the protocol after complaining of a persistent headache.
CB Sam Beal, on injured reserve with a strained hamstring, was designated for return. Beal now has a 21-day window to get back on the field. He participated in practice Wednesday and is eligible to play for the first time in Week 9 versus the Cowboys. Beal, picked up last year in the supplemental draft, missed his entire rookie season with a shoulder injury that landed him on IR.
“Excited, a little anxious because you haven’t been out there in a while, you want to see how you’re moving and how it really feels,’’ Beal said. “Felt great.’’
The Cardinals should get a boost with the return of Pro Bowl CB Patrick Peterson, back after sitting out the first six games on suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. Peterson will play against the Giants, but is likely not ready for a full workload of snaps.
“They will be monitored, but he is one of the guys that takes great care of himself, so I expect him to play and play at a high level,’’ Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “We don’t know exactly how many snaps, but we are going to work through practice this week and take it from there.’’