Giants ‘optimistic’ about Saquon Barkley’s return after RB practices; Andrew Thomas stays on sidelines

Saquon Barkley practiced Monday afternoon as the Giants returned from their Week 10 bye, and head coach Joe Judge said he is “optimistic” about Barkley (ankle) playing next Monday night at Tampa Bay.

Left tackle Andrew Thomas (foot/ankle) was on the side with trainers but wasn’t even in uniform, a bad sign for his potential availability as the Giants (3-6) try to build on their Week 9 home win over the Raiders.

Barkley has missed the last four games and Thomas has missed the last three.

The Bucs (6-3) are coming off a road loss to Washington, and an angry Tom Brady will be looking for a big bounce back against a Giants defense that is only allowing 13 points per game its last three outings.

“They’re one of the best teams in the league for a reason,” Judge said of the Bucs. “They have arguably the greatest player to ever play the game running the huddle.”

WR Sterling Shepard (quad), edge Lorenzo Carter (ankle) and safety Nate Ebner (ankle) worked on the side with trainers. Shepard was jogging pretty well after practice, but it would be a surprise if he played against Tampa.

Three players were absent due to what the team called “personal matters”: running backs Devontae Booker and Eli Penny, and kicker Graham Gano.

This contradicted Judge’s statement prior to practice that “everybody’s back in the building.”

Booker was expected to be back in the New York/New Jersey area on Monday night and was expected to report to the facility on Tuesday’s off day. He is dealing with a hip injury, as well.

Judge, meanwhile, said no one should overreact to assistant GM Kevin Abrams’ presence at last weekend’s Pitt-UNC game, where top QB prospects Kenny Pickett and Sam Howell dueled.

The Giants own two first-round picks in April’s draft: their own and Chicago’s.

“There’s a lot more than quarterbacks who were in that game,” Judge said. “It’s our job to know everyone that’s available. I wouldn’t read too much into that.”