Penn State football legend Saquon Barkley returned to practice with the New York Giants Monday after tearing his ACL last fall.

Although he’d been present at the team’s training camp this summer, Barkley donned his uniform and practiced Monday for the first time in months. He was previously listed on the Giants’ physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

Saquon Barkley returns to practice today pic.twitter.com/tLdE7COTOR

— New York Giants (@Giants) August 9, 2021

Barkley missed nearly the entire 2020-21 NFL season after tearing his ACL against the Chicago Bears. Since then, he’s been sharing milestones of his recovery in the offseason, including pictures of him training and working out.

But still he got so far to go ….. pic.twitter.com/eOnI3KDfuV

— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) April 6, 2021

Barkley’s return is huge for the Giants’ offense this season. In his 2019 rookie season, Barkley posted 1,003 rushing yards and six scores, which is the kind of production New York needs to up its game in the NFL’s lowliest division.

The upcoming season will likely help define Barkley’s career, and a solid performance will get things back on track. He posted only 34 rushing yards on 19 attempts in his cut-short season.

Saquon was asked if he will be ready for Week 1. He smiled and said he’s going to give the same answer he’s been giving all along: “I don’t know.”

— Dan Salomone (@Dan_Salomone) August 9, 2021

Barkley’s ultimate timetable remains uncertain. Giants reporter Dan Salomone said the team will be cautious with him, so don’t necessarily expect him to suit up for New York’s preseason games. However, the team’s season opener against the Denver Broncos on September 12 certainly hasn’t been ruled out just yet.