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Saquon Barkley MRI results reveal 'ordinary' ankle sprain

Nick Profile Picby:Nick Geddes•09/18/23•

NickGeddesNews

Saquon Barkley
Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley will be sidelined for three weeks after suffering an ankle injury in the 31-28 Week 2 win over the Arizona Cardinals Sunday.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Barkley underwent an MRI which revealed that Barkley suffered an “ordinary” ankle sprain. Barkley exited the game with just 1:08 remaining in the fourth quarter after falling awkwardly on a second-down run.

Barkley underwent x-rays after the game which came back negative. Head coach Brian Daboll gave an update Monday on Barkley’s condition.

“He’s literally getting looked at as we speak so I don’t have the update on it because he’s still being evaluated,” Daboll said. “I’m hopeful. Haven’t talked to him this morning before he went to get further tests, but I don’t want to speculate until I have the full information.”

Before leaving the game, Barkley recorded 63 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown. He added six receptions for 29 yards and a score.

Barkley has faced ankle injuries at times throughout his career. In 2019, he missed three games because of a right ankle injury. In 2021, he sat out of four contests because of an issue with his left ankle. Additionally, Barkley missed nearly all of the 2020 campaign because of an ACL injury suffered in the second week of the season.

The former Penn State standout is playing on a revised franchise tag deal this year. He is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2023 season.

Giants have plan in place amid injury to Saquon Barkley

Without Barkley, veteran tailback Matt Breida will receive the boatload of the work out of the backfield, with Gary Brightwell and Eric Gray options as well. Breida is the most experienced of the three, in his seventh season and second with the Giants. The 28-year-old has rushed for 2,515 yards and eight touchdowns.

“Whatever it is, we’ll have a plan ready to go,” Daboll said. “If [Barkley] can play, he can play. And if he can’t, then we’ll have the other guys prepared and ready to go.”