Roundup: Giants HC Joe Judge says Saquon Barkley making 'tangible progress' in rehab

There remains no timetable for Saquon Barkley's return from a torn ACL that wiped out his 2020 campaign, but the star running back is making headway, according to New York Giants coach Joe Judge.

Entering the second week of training camp, Judge noted that Barkley is making "tangible progress" towards a return to practice.

"He's making a lot of strides," Judge told reporters. "I don't want to go ahead and make any predictions or anything on Saquon, but I will say that this guy is showing progress, tangible progress, every day. ... Right now we've really mirrored his rehab to what our players are doing on the field, practice-wise, to make sure he's building up that same volume, that same intensity."

The status of the running back has hovered over Big Blue's camp, as the club has been cautious with Barkley. The RB himself has publicly downplayed his return throughout the process, leading to speculation that his rehab from the brutal knee injury is taking longer than normal. Last month Barkley responded, "we'll see" when asked if he'd be ready for Week 1.

The tidbit of optimism from Judge on Monday suggests that we could see Barkley at least back onto the practice field at some point during the preseason, opening up the opportunity for him to participate in the season opener.

With Barkley still in rehab mode, the Giants made the signing of running back Alfred Morris official on Monday. The veteran RB spent nine games with Big Blue last season, earning 238 rushing yards and a TD on 55 carries. Morris joins a backfield that includes Devontae Booker, sixth-round pick Gary Brightwell, Elijhaa Penny, Corey Clement, Mike Weber and Sandro Platzgummer battling to back up Barkley, eventually.

Elsewhere around the NFL on Monday:

• Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford his his thumb on a helmet in practice on Monday. Asked after practice how his quarterback was doing, head coach Sean McVay said, "not sure -- I think he’ll be OK." Stafford had surgery earlier this offseason on his right (throwing hand) thumb.
• The Arizona Cardinals are expected to bring back defensive tackle Corey Peters on a one-year deal, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday afternoon. The former Cardinals Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee is a 10-year veteran who's been a starter the past five seasons with Arizona after five seasons with the Falcons. Last year, his season was cut to nine games due to a knee injury. He had 15 tackles and two sacks in those games – all starts. The team later announced the signing.

The Cardinals had six activations from the reserve/COVID-19 list: offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum, center Rodney Hudson, receiver Andy Isabella, receiver KeeSean Johnson, guard Justin Pugh and receiver Isaac Whitney.

• Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores said cornerback Xavien Howard will not practice Monday after suffering a setback with his injured ankle. Flores added that the club and the All-Pro corner have continued dialogue regarding his contract and are "moving in the right direction." Miami activated wide receiver DeVante Parker off the physically unable to perform list and placed wideout Preston Williams on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The team announced it has released veteran offensive lineman D.J. Fluker off injured reserve with an injury settlement. A former first-round pick of the Chargers, Fluker spent last season with the Ravens, starting eight games.
• Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera said defensive tackle Jonathan Allen is day to day with a slight hamstring injury and rookie linebacker Jamin Davis was poked in the eye and has an infection. Quarterback Kyle Allen is also day to day with a tweaked ankle.
• Tennessee Titans cornerback Caleb Farley, running back Jeremy McNichols and offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo have passed their physicals and are eligible to return to practice. Wide receiver Julio Jones was slow to get up after going for a throw in the end zone at practice Monday and then left practice, per NFL Network's Mike Giardi. When asked after practice if Jones was OK, head coach Mike Vrabel replied, "Sure."
• Denver Broncos defensive lineman Bradley Chubb participated in team periods Monday for the first time this training camp, NFL Network's James Palmer reported. Chubb told reporters that he'll 100 percent be ready to go Week 1. Chubb underwent offseason ankle surgery but was not placed on the PUP list to start camp.
• Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh said wide receiver Marquise Brown, who has missed three straight practices, is dealing with a hamstring injury that is worse than initially thought. Rookie wideout Rashod Bateman is sidelined with muscle tightness. The team announced the signing of defensive lineman Justin Houston, which was initially reported Saturday.
• The Minnesota Vikings are signing quarterback Case Cookus following his Monday workout and have claimed former Patriots quarterback Danny Etling, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. They placed QBs Kirk Cousins, Kellen Mond and Nate Stanley and wide receiver Myron Mitchell on the reserve/COVID-19 list and wide receiver Bisi Johnson on injured reserve.
• Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule said cornerback A.J. Bouye "pulled something" in Monday's practice. The team also announced the signing of linebacker Jonathan Celestin. Linebacker Shaq Thompson was limited in practice Monday after sustaining an injury in Saturday's practice that was deemed not serious, per the team website.
• The Indianapolis Colts activated cornerback T.J. Carrie from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Colts quarterback Carson Wentz will undergo foot surgery with a broad timetable of five to 12 weeks expected for his return.
• The New Orleans Saints announced the signings of cornerback Prince Amukamara, cornerback KeiVarae Russell and guard J.R. Sweezy. New Orleans also waived defensive lineman Lorenzo Neal and defensive back Lawrence Woods and placed tight end Dylan Soehner on injured reserve.
• Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid said safety Juan Thornhill and wide receiver Chad Williams suffered groin injuries.
• The Detroit Lions activated guard Evan Heim from the reserve/COVID-19 list and signed center Evan Boehm.
• The Jacksonville Jaguars activated wide receiver Jamal Agnew from the non-football injury list. The team also announced it had placed quarterback C.J. Beathard and safety Jarrod Wilson on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• The Cleveland Browns announced running back Nick Chubb's three-year extension has been made official.
• The Houston Texans announced the signings of long snapper Mitchell Fraboni and offensive lineman Danny Isidora, along with the activation of defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker from the active/non-football injury list and that they had waived linebacker Nate Hall.
• The Las Vegas Raiders placed running back James Onwualu on the reserve/retired list and running back Jalen Richard return to practice from the reserve/COVID-19 list.