The Giants entered the 2023 NFL season hopeful that Saquon Barkley would be able to play in each of the team’s games for the first time since his rookie season in 2018.
The team quickly flashed back to reality just a couple of weeks into the season, as Barkley came up injured in New York’s Week 2 win.
Now, the Giants are waiting for Barkley to return to action. It doesn’t sound like that will happen in their Week 4 “Monday Night Football” clash, as Barkley was ruled “doubtful” for the contest.
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So, when might Barkley return? Here’s what to know about his ankle injury and how long it may sideline him.
Saquon Barkley injury update
Saquon Barkley is not expected to play for the Giants in Week 4 as he deals with an ankle sprain that he suffered in a Week 2 win over the Cardinals.
Barkley suffered the injury on the penultimate offensive play of the game for the Giants. He bent back awkwardly while being tackled and, though he tried to get off the field under his own power, he had to be helped off the field and to the sideline.
The Giants originally believed that Barkley had suffered just an ankle sprain, but it was later revealed that he had suffered a high ankle sprain. Normally, those injuries sideline players for at least a few weeks, but Giants coach Brian Daboll has expressed optimism that Barkley shouldn’t be sidelined long because of the malady.
As it stands, Barkley is set to miss his second game because of the injury. He will now hope to have a chance to return in Week 5 when the Giants travel to Miami to play the Dolphins.
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How long is Saquon Barkley out?
The Giants have been mum about Barkley’s timetable to return. That said, it’s notable that the team didn’t immediately rule him out of their Week 3 matchup against the 49ers — which was contested on Thursday night — and that his designation for Monday’s Week 4 matchup improved from “Out” to “Doubtful.”
Daboll also noted that Barkley has been improving as he rehabs his ankle injury.
“I think he’s gotten progressively better,” Daboll said, per Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com. “And then it’s a talk with Saquon and where he’s at, a talk with the training staff, I think everybody’s got to be on the same page and, again, you never want to put a guy out there that’s not ready to go. But he has gotten better, I think there’s a chance [he plays Monday], but we’ll see where it’s at.”
Given that Barkley had at least a chance to play Monday, that would seemingly give him a chance to play in Week 5. And he has indicated that he wants to return as quickly as possible from the injury.
“I love playing football. You don’t want to miss games, I’ve missed enough games in my career, so I would love to just go out there and play anytime I can,” Barkley said, per NorthJersey.com. “That’s why last week I was like, if it feels good enough and I can go out there and I can play and protect myself, protect the ball, and protect the QB, man let me try and play last Thursday. If I can do it this Monday, let me try and play.
You never know with these things, it’s a tough injury to battle through, but whenever that is, I just would love to be out there because I love the game of football and that’s the only thing that matters.
Still, players who miss time because of a high ankle sprain are often out at least three to four weeks because of the injury. So, Barkley may need one or two more weeks to get healthy before returning to action.
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Giants RB depth chart
The Giants have four running backs on their active roster and one on the practice squad. Below is a look at how they stack up on the team’s depth chart:
Rank
Player
1
Saquon Barkley
2
Matt Breida
3
Gary Brightwell
4
Eric Gray
5
Taiwan Jones
As long as Barkley is out, Breida will be the lead back for the Giants. The seven-year veteran only handled seven carries for 31 yards and a touchdown in New York’s first few games, but it’s worth noting that the score came against a tough 49ers defense.
Brightwell will serve as Breida’s backup. The third-year back was drafted by the Giants in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and he has run for 155 yards and a touchdown on 37 career carries with the team.
Gray, a fifth-round rookie out of Oklahoma, will serve as the team’s third-string back. He also is the Giants’ top kick and punt returner, so he should remain active on game days even when Barkley returns.
Meanwhile, Jones is a veteran speedster and core special teams player who can be called up from the practice squad to provide depth as needed.
None of the Giants’ backs alone will be able to effectively replace Barkley, but each will take on a portion of his duties as he works his way back to full strength.