New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley trusting his body again, 'starting to get that swagger back'

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is starting to get his swagger back. For that to happen, it means at some point it was lost.

Barkley said for the first time after Wednesday's minicamp practice that his confidence took a hit in recent years. He didn't fully trust his right knee, after he tore his ACL and meniscus early in the 2020 season, and it contributed to his struggles last year.

But things are finally starting to look up after three injury-filled seasons.

«Coming into this [minicamp], focus on my body, work on my body. Doing all the little things necessary to keep my body healthy,» Barkley said. «When you have that, when you can trust your body, your confidence just grows. I would say the difference [from college to now] was I was a way more confident player in college and early in my career than I was prior to last year.

»Now I'm starting to get that swagger back."

It would be just in time. Barkley, 25, is set to play this season on the fifth-year option on his rookie contract.

At one point, that would have seemed incredibly unlikely. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft was named Offensive Rookie of the Year in his first professional season when he compiled 2,028 total yards. He's had 2,391 yards in the three seasons since.

Barkley had an ankle injury in 2019, followed by a torn ACL in 2020 and another ankle injury last year. It has been a tough stretch for the star running back, who was still rehabbing the knee at this time last year.

«I'll tell you I feel a lot better than at this point last year,» Barkley said. «Like you said, I was rehabbing. My body feels good. My body feels strong. I've got my strength back. I feel like I got my speed back. I feel like I can trust