The New York Giants got two offensive weapons back for Sunday’s game with the Arizona Cardinals, as running back Saquon Barkley and tight end Evan Engram were both cleared to play.
Barkley has missed three games with a high ankle sprain and the running game has slowed without him. He had rushed for 237 yards with a 6.4-yard average and a touchdown in the Giants’ first 2½ games.
The Pro Bowler injured the ankle in a Sept. 22 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when his right ankle bent awkwardly while he was tackled by Bucs safety Mike Edwards.
Barkley, who still leads the team in rushing, hasn’t felt or noticed anything with the ankle while handling an increased workload this week.
More than anything, Barkley said, he missed playing the game. Sources indicated he wanted to return last Thursday against the New England Patriots but didn’t receive medical clearance.
Engram, who missed Thursday’s loss to the Patriots with a knee injury, practiced fully this week
Wide receiver Sterling Shepard has been ruled out for Sunday’s game with concussion for the second straight week.
.Running back Wayne Gallman and defensive tackle Olsen Pierre practiced fully Friday. They are in the concussion protocol and must meet with an independent neurological consultant to receive final clearance to play. Gallman was injured against Minnesota on Oct. 6 and Pierre was injured four days later against New England.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan and the Associated Press contributed to this report.