New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley missed the team’s Week 3 loss to the San Francisco 49ers due to an ankle sprain that he had suffered the week prior.
Initially, the sprain was reported to be among the “ordinary” variety but Barkley later revealed it was a high-ankle sprain. For a football player, that’s the worst news possible as it relates to ankle sprains.
Buy Giants TicketsGenerally, a high-ankle sprain will cause a player to miss between four and six weeks (longer if more severe). That would put Barkley’s return somewhere between October 15 and October 29.
But as head coach Brian Daboll said last week, Barkley is a quick healer.
The Insiders on @NFLGameDay: Expect #Steelers RB Jaylen Warren to get a bigger role; #Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs will receive the bulk of the carries; #Giants RB Saquon Barkley (high-ankle sprain) has a chance to play next week. pic.twitter.com/eyDrMvFvnY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 24, 2023
“There is a chance that he is able to get on the field Monday night against the Seahawks,” Rapoport said. “The Giants have a lot of time. . . He’s got a little extra time to get on the field against the Seahawks. And there is at least a shot (that) he’s able to do it.”
If Barkley does somehow make his return on Monday Night Football, it will be just two weeks (15 days) since sustaining the ankle sprain in the final moments of a comeback victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
In two games this season, Barkley has rushed for 114 yards and one touchdown while averaging just 3.9 yards per carry. He’s also caught nine passes for 41 yards and a touchdown but also dropped two passes that turned into interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
