Saquon Barkley Unlikely To Play Thursday Night

According to Jordan Raanan, Giants RB Saquon Barkley is unlikely to play Thursday night against the Patriots. 

Barkley suffered a high ankle sprain 16 days ago. Despite returning to practice on a limited basis recently, he’s not expected to receive medical clearance to play on Thursday. 

With backup RB Wayne Gallman in the concussion protocol, the Giants are shorthanded heading into Thursday night. Elijhaa Penny and Jon Hilliman are the only two healthy backs on the roster. 

Although the initial timetable for Barkley was 6-8 weeks, it became clear soon after that he could be back before then. The Giants are expected to take a very cautious approach with their star running back.

“I’m a competitor and definitely want to be out there for my team,” Barkley said. “But when you say team, it’s not just only in this building or on the football field. I have to trust my team in there. I think we have some of the best, if not the best, training staff starting with (Senior Vice President of Medical Services) Ronnie Barnes, all the way down. I’ll just continue to listen to them, have faith in them, and continue to do what I can to help my team win games whenever I’m able to come back.”

Barkley, 22, was taken with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Giants. Barkley is in the second year of his four-year, $31,321,752 rookie contract that included a $20,859,456 signing bonus.

The contract includes a fifth-year option for the Giants to pick up in 2021.

In 2019, Barkley has appeared in three games and rushed for 237 yards on 37 carries (6.4 YPC) to go along with 11 receptions for 74 yards receiving and one total touchdown.

We’ll have more regarding Barkley as the news is available.