Saquon Barkley injury confirmed as New York Giants suffer major blow
The New York Giants may have secured a historic comeback win against the Arizona Cardinals, but they lost running back Saquon Barkley in the process.
The Giants season looked to be going from bad to worse as they trailed the Cardinals 20-0 at half-time on Sunday, off the back of a 40-0 shutout loss against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1. But they scored on all five of their second-half possessions and came back for a 31-28 win, with Barkley scoring both a rushing and a receiving touchdown.
It was their biggest comeback since 1949, but celebrations were partially muted on the Giants sideline as Barkley hobbled off the field. The running back came off with just one minute remaining in the game and launched his helmet in frustration as injury issues have impacted his career in the past.
Barkley was taken for an MRI to see the extent of the damage done to his right ankle, but the results were positive, unlike Aaron Rodgers who suffered a season-ending injury with a similar issue. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Barkley will only miss 2-3 weeks with his injury, but it's still a major blow to the Giants.
The running back could miss games against the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins with his diagnosis. The Giants aim to get Barkley fit in time to face the Buffalo Bills on October 16, or failing that they face the Washington Commanders on October 22.
Before leaving the field Barkley had 17 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown, and also six catches for 29 yards and another six-point score. The minor injury will be a relief to the Giants but, in the meantime, head coach Brian Daboll said they have enough strength in the running back position to deliver results.
"Whatever it is, we’ll have a plan ready to go,’" Daboll said Monday. "If he can play, he can play, and if he can’t we’ll have the other guys prepared and ready to go."
The Giants will now have to prepare veteran running back Matt Breida, Gary Brightwell and 2023 fifth-round pick Eric Gray for their upcoming games. "I’ve been with Matt for quite some time, he knows our system," Daboll said about the veteran option.
"He’s prepared every week as if he was the starter and that’s what they all need to do. I’d say all three of the guys work really hard and prepare as if they’re going to play an entire game.’"
Breida went undrafted in 2017 and joined the 49ers, although his breakout season was in 2018 when he scored five touchdowns. Since then he's played for the Dolphins, Bills, and now Giants, and will have a rare starting opportunity for their upcoming games.
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