The Facts: The time has arrived. The wait is over. Barkley makes his long-awaited return this week, joining his teammates on the field for the first time since the devastating knee injury that ended his 2020 season after two games. Barkley finally will be activated off the physically unable to perform list, a source told The Post, as the Giants ramp up practice this week in advance of Saturday night's preseason opener against the Jets. Barkley will not play in that game, of course, and is not expected to play in the next two preseason games, either.

Diehards Line:According to Post staffer Paul Schwartz, this is what the Giants want and need to happen, now rather than later, as hope remains that he is able to suit up and play in the season opener against the Broncos. That Sept. 12 game is still five weeks away, and Barkley and the Giants will use that time to determine how far his right knee has come and how much further it has to go before he is ready to carry the football and get hit and tackled in live action. The Giants will not rush their star running back in any way, shape or form, acclimating him into individual drills until he shows he can handle more of a workload. The goal is to make sure Barkley, 24, does not experience any setbacks and that his progress, unhurried, remains steady. Remember, a recent report indicated Barkley hasn't been ruled out for Week 1, but the team could wait until Week 3 to bring him back. Whatever the case, today's development is a positive.