New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain after an MRI Monday, sidelining him anywhere from four to eight weeks.
Team sources report Barkley’s injury will likely have a longer time frame. The Giants’ bye week is Week 11, which would give him eight weeks to heal. He could return for the Giants’ final six regular season games.
Barkley will seek a second opinion from Dr. Robert Anderson on Wednesday.
Head coach Pat Shurmur wouldn’t confirm a time frame for Barkley’s return to the lineup. Instead, he said the team has the utmost confidence in backup Wayne Gallman.
“We’re just going to have to set first off. We certainly believe in Wayne Gallman and we certainly believe he will be able to step in and do his very best,” Shurmur said. “And we’ll just have to see at some point. We may have to add a running back behind him as we go forward here.”
The Giants’ running backs room has resembled a MASH unit. Gallman is the only tailback that’s healthy. Eli Penny is a converted fullback. Jon Hilliman and Austin Walter are rookies on the practice squad who could be promoted.
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“It’s like any injury. It’s very unfortunate to have Saquon of the lineup,” Shurmur said. “We all know what he brings to the team. But it’s going to fall on all of us to move forward and do what we can to win games.”
Barkley was injured the second quarter of Sunday’s 32-31 over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His right ankle bent awkwardly after being tackled by Bucs safety Mike Edwards. After the play, Barkley limped to the sideline where he was attended to by trainers.
Barkley entered Week 3 with 227 yards rushing, second in the NFL. He was averaging 7.8 yards per carry. He had 10 yards on eight carries and four receptions for 27 yards when he was injured. Barkley was named Offensive Rookie of the Year after finishing 2018 with 2,028 yards from scrimmage, becoming just the third rookie in NFL history to achieve the milestone.
– Curtis Rawls is a Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage and covers the NFL and the New York Giants. Please like and follow on Facebook and Twitter. Curtis can be followed on Twitter @CuRawls203.