Left tackle Andrew Thomas and running back Saquon Barkley could return to the New York Giants lineup Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Saturday, though, Giants head coach Joe Judge was unwilling to pronounce either player ready to play.

Thomas, on IR with foot and ankle injuries, has practiced in a limited fashion all week. The Giants have yet to activate him.

“We’re going to see how he comes through and see how it looks right here,” Judge said. “I’d say yesterday was a good day for him. We’re going to see how he comes out today and really how the next couple of days go.”

As for Barkley, out since Week 5 with an ankle injury, Judge said he was “in the same boat as Andrew in terms of having a good week of practice, trending the right way and really progressing for us.”

Defensive back Logan Ryan is on the Reserve/COVID-19 list and currently considered out for Monday.

The Giants remain hopeful that Ryan will be able to come off the Reserve/COVID-19 list in time to play. He would need two negative COVID-19 tests within a 24-hour period before being allowed to do so.

“As of right now, we placed him on COVID/(Reserve). I’d say when you’re on that, obviously you can’t play. Is there a small chance that he could still test out and be available? There is,” Judge said. “We’re preparing for all the situations of him not being available, as well as if he turns around for the last minute and he is. We’ll prepare for that, as well.

In addition to Ryan, linebacker Lorenzo Carter (ankle/illness), wide receiver Sterling Shepard (quad) and special teamer Nate Ebner have been ruled out for the Giants.

Final injury report

Giants

Out

LB Lorenzo Carter (ankle/illness)
DB Nate Ebner (knee)
WR Sterling Shepard (quad)
DB Loran Ryan (Reserve/COVID-19)

Questionable

TE Kaden Smith (knee)
RB Saquon Barkley (ankle)
RB Devontae Booker (hip)
FB Cullen Gillaspia (calf)

Buccaneers

Out

WR Antonio Brown (ankle)

Doubtful

DT Vita Vea (knee)

Questionable

CB Dee Delaney (ankle/consussion)
TE Rob Gronkowski (back)
DT Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (ankle)

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FRIDAY

Running back Saquon Barkley, who has not played for the New York Giants since suffering a Week 5 ankle injury, moved closer to a return to action on Friday.

Barkley, as he has all week, practiced for the Giants on Friday. Speaking before Friday’s practice, Giants head coach Joe Judge did not rule Barkley in or out for Monday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I thought he had a positive day yesterday for us,” Judge said. “I wouldn’t say that we’ve ruled anybody officially in or out but coming off the field yesterday, he had a good day for us.”

Judge did allow that he “would say” Barkley is trending toward being active.

Andrew Thomas, who is still officially on injured reserve, is also trending toward playing.

Friday injury report

Giants

Did not practice

LB Lorenzo Carter (illness/ankle)
DB Nate Ebner (knee)
DB Logan Ryan (COVID-19 protocol)
WR Sterling Shepard (quad)

Limited participation

RB Saquon Barkley (ankle)
RB Devontae Booker (hip)
FB Cullen Gillaspia (calf)
TE Kaden Smith (knee)

Buccaneers

Did not practice

WR Antonio Brown (ankle)
NT Vita Vea (knee)
QB Tom Brady (rest day)
DT Steve McLendon (rest day)

Limited participation

CB Dee Delaney (ankle/concussion)
WR Chris Godwin (foot)
OLB Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder/hand)
DT Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (ankle)

Full participation

TE Rob Gronkowski (back)

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THURSDAY

Left tackle Andrew Thomas and running back Saquon Barkley continued on Thursday to progress toward returning to the New York Giants lineup when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night.

Thomas, who was just removed from the Injured Reverse list on Wednesday, has not played since Week 6 with foot and ankle injuries.

“We expect him to be doing part of today,” head coach Joe Judge said on Thursday. “Today will be more a test than yesterday was, yesterday being more of a walk-thru. Today we’ll actually move ‘em around, do more speed work.”

Thomas was on the field working during the early portion of practice viewed by media. Significantly, Thomas is not even listed on the Giants’ Thursday injury report.

Judge, who has in the past espoused a belief in rotating offensive lineman, said Thomas, Matt Peart and Nate Solder could all see action Monday.

“We absolutely could rotate all our tackles. I say all the time I expect everyone that comes to the game to play and be productive,” Judge said. “I don’t go in with pitch counts with guys. To me if he’s good enough to play and healthy enough to play and put him on the field that’s what we’ll consider. In terms of Matt and Nate both playing I would expect all three of them to play.”

Barkley has missed four games since suffering an ankle injury Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys. He was coming off his best game of the season, 126 total yards in Week 4 vs. the New Orleans Saints, when he suffered the Week 5 injury.

Barkley’s injury, reported to be a low ankle sprain, has kept him out longer than anticipated.

“Gotta remember. Every time that guy’s on the field he’s got 11 guys trying to take his head off and kill him. That’s just the reality of what it is,” Judge said. “We’ve gotta make sure if we put him out there this guy can go out there, he can react to full speed, he can play and defend himself and he can play aggressive and do his job.”

Wide receiver Sterling Shepard (quad) was on the side working with trainers on Thursday. He seems likely to miss a second straight game and his fifth of the season on Monday. Linebacker Lorenzo Carter was home for a second straight day due to an illness.

Thursday injury report

Giants

Did not practice

LB Lorenzo Carter (illness/ankle)
DB Nate Ebner (knee)
WR Sterling Shepard (quad)

Limited participation

RB Saquon Barkley (ankle)
RB Devontae Booker (hip)
FB Cullen Gillaspia (calf)

Buccaneers

Did not participate

WR Antonio Brown (knee)
CB Dee Delaney (ankle/concussion)
NT Vita Vea (knee)

Limited participation

WR Chris Godwin (foot)

Full participation

TE Rob Gronkowski (back)
OLB Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder/hand)