Saquon Barkley is set to extend his time on the sidelines to three weeks, with the probability that he won’t be playing in the New York Giants’ upcoming Sunday matchup against the Miami Dolphins. This update comes as Barkley continues to struggle with a troubling high ankle injury, sources have informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
While officially listed as doubtful, Barkley’s practice last week was limited, and during Friday’s training, he required his right ankle to be retaped in the early part of the session.
Across the week directing up to Week 5, Barkley’s involvement in practice was limited, and he was listed as uncertain for the game. However, the judgment has been made to hold him out for at least one more week. His status was similarly questionable before the Giants’ Week 4 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Barkley remained injured during the Giants’ Week 2 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. His absence has been intensely felt, with the Giants’ offense striving, scoring just 15 points combined in their past two games, both ended in defeats. Barkley, who has undergone multiple injury setbacks in four of his six seasons, has encountered ongoing injury issues throughout his career. Since being drafted in 2018, the Giants have posted a 9-15 record in games without him.
Saquon Barkley has undergone a lot of injuries since tearing his ACL during the 2020 season, and his appearance on the field undoubtedly makes a significant difference for the New York Giants. Here’s a summary of his injury history:
- September 2019: Pedal Ankle Sprain Grade 2
- September 2020: Knee ACL Tear Grade 3
- October 2021: Pedal Ankle Sprain/Pull
- December 2022: Cervical Neck Stinger
- September 2023: Pedal Ankle Sprain Grade 2
Barkley’s strength and determination to come back to the field in spite of these setbacks highlight his dedication to the game and his team.
Even with Barkley in the lineup, the Giants have encountered offensive difficulties. This season, the 26-year-old two-time Pro Bowler has accelerated for 114 yards on 29 carries and caught nine passes for 41 yards, totaling two scores.
Barkley expressed some expectancy on Friday, stating that he was “encouraged,” but he stopped from making any absolute guarantees about his availability for the Miami game.
If Barkley actually skips this upcoming matchup, it will be the third consecutive game he’s been sidelined since sustaining the injury during the Giants’ Week 2 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Authorities had indicated at the time of the injury that the two-time Pro Bowler was anticipated to be out for around three weeks.
In Barkley’s absence, Matt Breida is expected to preserve his role as the lead running back for the Giants, who have met considerable challenges recently. They’ve experienced back-to-back losses by a collective margin of 39 points and currently have the worst point differential in the NFL this season, with a minus-76.
Adding to their problems, the Giants will once again have an alternative offensive line, as they have already ruled out main players like All-Pro left handle Andrew Thomas (hamstring), rookie starting center John Michael Schmitz (shoulder), and guard Shane Lemieux (groin).
The New York Giants join Week 5 with the lowest-ranked scoring offense in the league. Their possibility of keeping pace with the high-scoring Miami Dolphins becomes particularly challenging without Barkley in the mix. With a 1-3 record, the Giants are scheduled to kick off against the 3-1 Miami Dolphins at 1 p.m. ET.
