As expected, Saquon Barkley did not play Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers.
But the New York Giants star revealed to Amazon Prime’s Taylor Rooks that he is suffering from a high ankle sprain, not a low ankle sprain as first reported.
Barkley told Rooks it was “not as severe as it could have been,” and his inactive status Thursday night was a “pain-tolerance issue.”
.@TaylorRooks confirms that it is indeed a high ankle sprain for Saquon Barkley.#TNFonPrime | #NYGvsSF pic.twitter.com/mSnPBV013n
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) September 21, 2023
Barkley hopes to be ready to return for Week 4, after having 11 days to heal.
Although each player’s case is unique, high ankle sprains are typically more serious than a regular spain. The All-Pro running back missed four games because of a high ankle sprain in 2021.
The Giants don’t need a similar timetable this year, given Barkley’s importance to the offense. He has 155 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns this season.
NFL fans reacted to the report just before Thursday Night Football, with many doubting Barkley’s ability to heal in time for Week 4.
That’s exactly what it looked like. Never believed the opposing reports. High ankle sprains are very challenging as they create instability in the ankle, making it hard to plant and cut, and sometimes don’t heal well. See below for more info 👇🏻 https://t.co/QRIeY4Bauu
— Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) September 21, 2023
High ankle sprains are not 1-2 wks, they r usually 4-6 wks & depending on the rehab!!! Don’t know if Barkley is a fast healer & I don’t see him coming back before game 7! Get healthy tho!!
— Van (@vanman_1000) September 21, 2023
Now it’s sudden high ankle? Can we please get the story straight
— Nick Capone (@nickcaponee) September 21, 2023
Giants stop running your star RB into the ground to compensate for your garbage QB play challenge (IMPOSSIBLE)
— VZ (@ventazones) September 21, 2023
Giants doing their best Trump impression.
“It was a perfect ankle sprain, so low, lower than they’ve ever seen before, Saquon isn’t ruled out for TNF. He’ll be back before you even know it.
— LeGreatShooter (@LeGoat03824702) September 21, 2023
