GLENDALE, Ariz. — Here’s the one thing that the Giants and Saquon Barkley could have agreed on during their tense contract dispute: a significant injury suffered this season is the worst-case scenario.
Fears are that situation happened Sunday late in the Giants’ historic comeback 31-28 comeback win against the Cardinals, though the results of postgame X-rays on his sprained right ankle were not immediately known.
Barkley will undergo an MRI exam on Monday, though there is optimism that Barkley avoided the dreaded and more severe high ankle sprain, according to an ESPN report.
Either way, his availability for Thursday’s game against the 49ers is in jeopardy.
Barkley had to be carried off the field without putting any weight on his ankle after fighting for 2 yards on his 17th carry of the game.
He remained on the sideline, took a cart from the locker room to the imaging room and was walking around gingerly when he returned to his locker.
Saquon Barkley is helped off the field after being injured during the fourth quarter. Getty ImagesBarkley did not conduct an interview but a despondent look on his face suggested his own concerns and stood out as different amid a joyous atmosphere.
The star-crossed Pro Bowl running back missed three games in 2019 with a right ankle sprain and four games in 2021 with a high ankle sprain on his left foot, as well as his torn ACL (14 games missed) in 2020.
Barkley’s injury history was a sticking point during contract negotiations, even after he stayed healthy for a full season and rushed for a career-high 1,312 yards last season.
So, now Barkley could be in the no-win spot of hurrying back to help his team and prioritizing what is best for his career over the long term — waiting until he is fully healthy to take the field again.
He has no long-term contract security, as he is signed to just a one-year, $10.1 million deal with an additional $900,000 in incentives that will be almost impossible to reach if he misses multiple games.
And the Giants certainly aren’t in a hurry to find out what their offense looks like without Barkley.
His 92 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns fueled the 21-point comeback, even though an interception off of his hands played a role in digging the early hole.
Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins gave in on his contract dispute during training camp and suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in Week 1.
All things considered — namely, playing without left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring) for the full game and left guard Ben Bredeson(concussion) for most of the second half — the Giants’ patchwork offensive line passed the test.
They allowed three sacks and five quarterback hits — an improvement from the seven and 12, respectively, totaled by the Cowboys last week.
Saquon Barkley is helped off the field during the Giants’ win over the Cardinals in Sunday. Getty ImagesJosh Ezeudustarted at left tackle for the first time in his career.
Marcus McKethanmade his first career start in his second career game (at right guard).
That meant the Giants played with three 2022 draft picks, including right tackle Evan Neal, who was flagged for two penalties (a false start and a hold that negated a touchdown) but still wasn’t as ineffective as he was Week 1.
Ben Bredeson exited with a concussion during the Giants’ victory against the Cardinals. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConThe Giants thought they would only need one of Ezeudu, McKethan and Mark Glowinski to play in a right-guard rotation for most of training camp.
All three played together after Bredeson’s injury.
Daboll nearly tried something bold.
After the Giants cut their deficit to 28-20 with 8:51 to go in the fourth quarter, the offense stayed on the field to attempt a two-point conversion.
But receiver Parris Campbellcommitted a false start that brought out the PAT team.
Why go for two instead of taking the near-automatic point when trailing by eight?
New-age analytics suggest that — because two-point conversions are successful more than 50 percent of the time — going for two when trailing by eight gives a team a chance to win by one.
If the first attempt fails, the second can be converted to equate to kicking two PATs.
CB Darnay Holmes, S Gervarrius Owens, TE Lawrence Cager and DT Jordon Riley were healthy scratches for the Giants.
In addition to Thomas, OLB Azeez Ojulari (hamstring) and WR Wan’Dale Robinson (knee) were sidelined by injuries.
The quick turnaround to Thursday’s game against the 49ers is bad news for Thomas and Ojulari but could mark Robinson’s season debut.
