On Wednesday, Barkley participated in a portion of the Giants’ practice that was open to the media. Following the practice, head coach Pat Shurmur told reporters that Barkley “felt good” and would not rule the star out to return for the Giants’ week 5 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.

Following the running back’s surprising return to practice, Barkley shocked the football world again on Thursday. Barkley was not officially apart of the team’s practice, but he was seen warming up with his teammates while running, jumping, and cutting at increased speeds from the day before.

“I’m a competitor and definitely want to be out there for my team. But when you say team, it’s not just only in this building or on the football field. I have to trust my team in there, I think we have some of the best, if not the best, training staff starting with Ronnie Barnes all of the way down,” Barkley said on Thursday.

Barkley’s comments are fairly typical, but they do give an insight into his mindset regarding a return.

“He’s out there moving around,” Shurmur said.

Barkley’s teammate Evan Engram was very surprised at his speedy return to practice. “I don’t know how – that’s just crazy,” Engram said.

When the star running back was asked about his rapid return by Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks, Barkley mentioned the Marvel movie Black Panther.

“I went to Wakanda,” he said.

Some of Barkley’s former teammates caught wind of his comments and took to social media to poke fun at the running back.

Following the Giants’ game on Sunday against the Vikings, they are forced to make a quick turn around to play the New England Patriots next Thursday, which could hinder Barkley’s return.

Although the realistic return date for Barkley is the Giants’ October 20th game against the Arizona Cardinals, Shurmur refused to rule the running back out for this weekend’s game.

“Some people’s doctors had him out six to eight weeks, not my doctors,” Shurmur said.

Thus far this season, Barkley has rushed for 237 yards and 1 touchdown on 37 carries. His rushing per yard average is 6.4.