An MRI on Monday revealed that Giants star running Saquon Barkley does, in fact, have a high ankle sprain, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. This injury is going to have Barkley sidelined from anywhere between four and eight weeks, but Schefter notes that the longer timetable is considered more likely.
New York does have a bye in Week 11, so it seems logical to circle that area as a possible return for Barkley as he could suit up for the final six games of the regular season.
Barkley suffered the injury on a third-and-5 play with just under three minutes to play in the first half of New York's otherwise thrilling 32-31 victory against win over the Buccaneers. Safety Mike Edwards was trying to bring Barkley down and his ankle got caught under the Bucs defensive back and bent awkwardly. He was down on the field in noticeable pain, needed help being carried to the locker room and then was seen in a walking boot and using crutches.
"I'm not out for the season," Barkley declared after the game, via NJ.com. "I'm going to do whatever I can to get back as quickly as possible. Not for myself, but for my team. That's what I continue to think about. I caught myself getting a little upset on the sideline just because I wasn't able to be out there with those guys."
With Barkley sidelined, it was Wayne Gallman who took over in the backfield, but he managed only 13 rushing yards in the contest. Really, it was Daniel Jones' feet that were the story in the running game for New York; he rushed for two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with just over a minute left to play in the game.
Jones, who completed 23 of 36 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns, certainly didn't look like a rookie in his debut and the Giants will need him to continue his magic with Barkley out of the mix. That's even more emphasized with New York on the doorstep of a tough little stretch in their schedule. After they play host to the Redskins at MetLife Stadium in Week 4, they'll take on the Vikings and then visit the Patriots in New England.
