The New York Giants have been dealt a major blow as star running back Saquon Barkley is set to miss three weeks due to an ankle injury. Barkley, who was the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, has been one of the most productive players in the league since joining the Giants.
Barkley suffered the injury during the Giants’ Week 3 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was seen limping off the field and was later diagnosed with a high ankle sprain. The Giants have since placed him on injured reserve, meaning he will be out for at least three weeks.
The loss of Barkley is a huge blow to the Giants’ offense. He has been one of the most dynamic players in the league since joining the team, racking up over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns in his first two seasons. He is also a threat in the passing game, having caught 91 passes in his first two seasons.
The Giants will now have to rely on veteran running back Wayne Gallman and rookie running back Jonathan Hilliman to carry the load in Barkley’s absence. Gallman has been with the team since 2017 and has shown flashes of potential, but he is still unproven as a starter. Hilliman is an undrafted rookie out of Boston College who has yet to make an impact in the NFL.
The Giants will also need their passing game to step up in Barkley’s absence. Quarterback Eli Manning has been inconsistent this season and will need to be more consistent if the Giants are going to stay afloat without their star running back.
It’s a tough break for the Giants, but they will have to find a way to make do without their star running back for the next three weeks. They will need their other offensive weapons to step up and fill the void left by Barkley if they are going to stay competitive in the NFC East.