David Chao, MD: Saquon Barkley Looking Good, But Still Needs Time

Let's celebrate that New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley is off PUP and has passed his physical. That means the Giants are ready for him to join the team in practice, but there will likely be a ramp up period.

Video from today's practice shows he is doing well but not near 100% yet. He is making great progress and might even play Week 1, but I doubt that will mean 20 carries and full workload to start. Barkley will round into form for a stronger second half of the season but will still need to watch for compensation injuries.

The Giants themselves posted a series of videos.

This warm up video was great to see, as Barkley was out there in uniform with teammates for the first time since his injury. But one can clearly see the atrophy on his right leg. Perhaps that is only because of how huge the muscles on the left side are ... but the difference is noticeable.

The next video team video shows Barkley in a cone drill cutting to his left and then right.

His first cut to the left involves choppy steps instead of a hard right plant and cut. His next cut off his healthy left knee is powerful and decisive. One can see the contrast there.

The third Giants video shows Barkley with some good acceleration but hardly full speed while catching a ball.

In another angle of the same play, one can also see poor deceleration. He clearly favors the right side as he slows down.

I discussed this issue with Odell Beckham Jr. earlier this offseason, and he agrees that acceleration is easy. It is deceleration and cutting that come last.

Still, this is great news for Giants fans and great progress for Barkley, but let's not set expectations too high. He is back, but let's give him time before expecting the Saquon of old. Even Barkley himself admitted after practice that his status for Week 1 is not yet known.