New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley is no stranger to injuries in his career, and as we are heading into Week 3 of the season, it unfortunately looks like he has another one to work through.
Last Sunday vs. the Arizona Cardinals, Barkley’s leg got caught underneath him on a tackle and while it seems that something more serious has been avoided, it does look like it may take some time to get back from.
Let’s take a closer look at Barkley’s injury situation with up-to-date information regarding the injury and his possible timeline to return.
What Is Saquon Barkley’s Injury?
After getting tackled awkwardly in what was a routine play against the Cardinals, it appeared that Barkely had tweaked his ankle in the process and would need assistance getting off the field.
This may end up being the story of the Giants game, though.
Here’s the play where Saquon Barkley got hurt, making this potentially a very costly win. 👀👇 pic.twitter.com/Nu8MTSNZgm
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) September 17, 2023
Barkley can be seen trying to work the ankle out, hopping around on it, seeing if it may have been something he could either shake off or stretch out.
However, neither was able to do the trick, and as a result, the Giants had no other option but to sit him down for the remainder of the game with hopes it wouldn’t last too much longer than that.
How Much Time Is Barkley Expected To Miss?
After multiple tests were done, including X-ray and MRI imaging, it appears that Barkley and the Giants have dodged a bullet. High ankle sprains usually force a player to miss anywhere from four to six weeks of action, as it’s a much tougher injury to heal from and play with.
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In this case, the belief is that it’s not nearly that severe this time around. It’s being reported league-wide that Barkley may miss up to three games as a result.
Barkley’s Injury Is a Big Impact on the Giants’ Offense
While Barkley’s injury is not a high ankle sprain, essentially cutting the potential timeline in half, having him miss any time, especially during this upcoming stretch, is going to be a challenge for the Giants’ offense. If the reports are true and Barkley does indeed need to sit out three weeks, it feels like it could not have come at a worse time for the team.
The next three opponents on the Giants’ schedule start with a West Coast trip vs. the San Fransisco 49ers tonight, followed by hosting the Seattle Seahawks and a road date with the Miami Dolphins. The Giants offense will need to do everything in their power to keep the team afloat as they await their star running back’s return.