- Update: An MRI confirmed on Monday that Saquon Barkley suffered an ordinary ankle sprain on Sunday. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, he’s expected to miss three weeks of action.
While NFL Week 2 delivered a wild come-from-behind win for the New York Giants, there are big concerns about how their offense will perform in upcoming games after star running back Saquon Barkley went down with a worrisome ankle injury.
The New York Giants entered their matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday following a disastrous showing at home last week when they were obliterated by the hated Dallas Cowboys by a score of 40-0. And unfortunately, that horrid play continued on Sunday when they found themselves down 20-0 at halftime against the Cards.
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However, the team did not give in to a potential loss and roared back with a shocking second-half comeback that saw the team score 31 points and get in the win column for the first time this season. But there was a dark cloud that hovered over one of the best wins in franchise history.
That being what seemed to be a serious ankle injury Saquon Barkley suffered in the final minute of a game he had a major impact on with two touchdowns (one each running and receiving).
New York Giants believe Saquon Barkley injury may be a ‘normal sprain’
Barkley was in noticeable pain after the game and declined to talk to the media about the team’s win and injury. It has led many to wonder if he has a major injury that could knock him out for months. However, on Monday morning, ESPN’s Giants reporter Jordan Raanan offered some news that could be seen as a positive.
“Saquon Barkley’s X-ray negative. Some swelling but not believed to be a fracture. Initial thinking according to a source was ‘it’s an ordinary (sprain), rather than a high-ankle sprain.’ MRI this AM in Arizona to determine severity + potential time missed,” Raanan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The fact that the injury could be a normal sprain instead of a high-ankle sprain or worse has to be a major relief to New York Giants fans. The two-time Pro Bowler is a major element of the team’s offense, and with the defense off to a rough start in 2023, the team is leaning on their offense more than ever. Nevertheless, the New York native could still miss two or three games with the injury.
Furthermore, Barkley is playing on a revised contract this season and is aiming to get a big long-term extension at some point in the next six months.
The team returns to action on this Thursday when they face the San Francisco 49ers on Amazon Prime.