Barkley to return from ankle injury on MNF

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is cleared to return following a four-game absence.

The star running back is officially active for Monday night's contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team announced.

Barkley was a limited participant in practice all week, leading the Giants to list him as questionable on the injury report.

A false positive COVID-19 test wiped out any chance of Barkley returning in Week 10; it's not clear if he would have been ready to return at that point anyway.

The 24-year-old will look to get going against a Buccaneers team that boasts the No. 1 rush defense in the NFL. Barkley has averaged just 3.6 yards per carry over five outings this season.

Injuries have impacted three of Barkley's first four NFL seasons. A sprained ankle cost the 2018 No. 2 pick three games in 2019, while a torn ACL wiped out his 2020 campaign in Week 2.