MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Make it three games and counting on the sideline for Saquon Barkley.

In other words, exactly the timeline expected for a high ankle sprain.

Barkley was ruled out Sunday morning before the Giants faced the Dolphins.

It’s not a surprise given that Barkley looked somewhat uncomfortable running during Friday’s practice and that high ankle sprains typically require a minimum three- or four-week recovery.

As much as the Giants miss Barkley whenever he does not play, his absence figures to be magnified Sunday because the best defense against the league’s highest-scoring quick-strike offense probably is a ball-control offense.

Is that possible without Barkley and three players who have started on the offensive line?

Matt Breida has 18 carries for 47 yards combined in his first two starts replacing Barkley. Rookie Eric Gray has yet to get an NFL carry.

The other injured Giants who will not play included: Linebacker Micah McFadden, center Josh Michael Schmitz, left guard Shane Lemieux and left tackle Andrew Thomas.

Safety Gervarrius Owens and defensive tackle Jordon Riley – both rookie seventh-round draft picks –were healthy scratches.

Barkley joined team reps in practice for the first time this week as he progressed – making next Sunday’s game in Buffalo feel like a realistic opportunity to return – but head coach Brian Daboll has been trying to sell the “quick healer” Barkley’s possible return to the lineup since only three days after he first suffered the injury as a form of opponent gamesmanship.

Barkley missed three games with an ankle sprain in 2019 and four with a high ankle sprain in 2021, the same season in which he was coming off a torn ACL.