TEMPE, Ariz. — Is this a message to the 49ers that they need to prepare for Saquon Barkley taking the field Thursday night, just so their defense has something else to think about heading into the game?

Or does Barkley have a legitimate chance to play, only four days after sustaining a sprained right ankle?

Brian Daboll Tuesday morning raised the possibility that his top running back should not yet be ruled out, despite an ESPN report that Barkley will miss three weeks with the ankle injury he suffered in the closing minutes of last Sunday’s dramatic 31-28 comeback victory over the Cardinals.

“I’m not saying that he’s out yet,’’ Daboll said. “He’s a quick healer. I’m not saying that he’s in, he’s out, we’re gonna take it all the way up with him until Thursday. But he feels a lot better today. I just talked to him, so we’ll see where we’re at.’’

Barkley got hurt on his 17th and final rushing attempt, a 2-yard gain with 1:12 remaining that helped set up Graham Gano’s game-winning 34-yard field goal.

His ankle swelled up and Barkley had to be helped off the field.

He slammed his helmet to the ground and looked despondent sitting in the locker room.

A three-week diagnosis for a low ankle sprain is customary.

“Saquon is a lot better than I thought he would be or some other people thought he would be today,’’ Daboll said. “He might heal a little bit different than another player, if you will. We’ll just take it day-to-day with him. If he can make it, great, if he can’t, let’s see if he can get better by the following week.’’

It is highly unlikely that Barkley has a legitimate chance to defy the presumed timetable for his return and play so quickly.

Perhaps this is a bit of gamesmanship from Daboll. Barkley was listed Tuesday as not participating in practice, which was a projection, as the Giants held a walk-through.

This is familiar terrain for Barkley.

He missed three games in 2019 dealing with a right ankle sprain. In 2020, he missed 14 games after tearing his right ACL.

In 2021, he missed four games with a high left ankle sprain.

In the past, Barkley intimated he returned too soon from ankle injuries and that limited his production for several games until he found his footing.

In reserve, the Giants have veteran Matt Breida, third-year Gary Brightwell and rookie Eric Gray.

The 28-year-old Breida has 20 NFL starts on his résumé. In 17 games (one start) last season, he had 54 rushing attempts for 220 yards, seldom-used, as Barkley stayed healthy.

“I just want to go out there and play for my team,’’ Breida said. “At the end of the day, I’m grateful to still be playing in the NFL, you know? I came undrafted, so just to be here I am blessed, and whatever my team needs me to do, I’m going to do.’’

The team might need Breida to carry a heavy load, if the Giants are able to stay close with the powerhouse 49ers.

“I came into the league, I was fifth string, and then I was a starter at one point, so this is nothing new to me,’’ Breida said. “Football is football at the end of the day, you go out there and play, so it’s nothing new.’’