Saquon can’t catch a break, but does get a mean sprain
ARLINGTON, Tex. — Saquon Barkley’s healthy return from a torn ACL lasted only four weeks. Top receiver Kenny Golladay wasn’t far behind him leaving Sunday’s game, either.
Barkley sprained his left ankle in Sunday’s first quarter when he stepped on the foot of Cowboys corner Jourdan Lewis. His ankle ballooned to the size of a softball, as shown by the FOX broadcast, and he was carted off the field and downgraded to out.
Then Golladay was ruled out at halftime with a hyperextended knee.
Barkley had x-rays taken after the game and was seen on crutches with his left foot in a boot. He did not speak to the media. Joe Judge said “I really don’t know much.”
“It’s fresh, so I’m pretty sure it’s frustrating for him,” Golladay said of Barkley. “But at the same time he was in good spirits as well. Hopefully he’s able to go.”
Golladay got hurt on a first-quarter collision with Cowboys corner Trevon Diggs. Golladay had no catches on three targets in the first half. He didn’t sound optimistic about next Sunday’s game against the Rams.
“Tried to fight through it but the pain got a little bit worse,” he said. “It’s frustrating. I’ll go back (today), get some imaging, hope for the best.”
Barkley was open on a slant route while defended by fellow Penn State product Micah Parsons. But when Daniel Jones sailed his pass high and incomplete over Barkley’s head, Barkley and Lewis crossed paths and Barkley’s ankle turned awkwardly.
Barkley bumped into teammate Kadarius Toney as he fell to the turf, grabbed his ankle and hobbled off, and then was visibly upset on the bench as trainers worked on him.
Safety Jabrill Peppers, out with a hamstring injury, tried to console Barkley as he pounded his legs with his fists, a visible sign of how bad Barkley thought it was.
Barkley missed most of last season with a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee. That happened in Week 2 at Chicago in September 2020. Barkley rehabbed, got healthy for Week 1 of this season and exploded in the Giants’ first victory at New Orleans in Week 4.
He totaled 126 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, one in the fourth quarter and the game-winner in overtime, to lift the Giants over the Saints.
But now Barkley is down again. He missed 17 of the Giants’ 32 games in the 2019-2020 seasons combined, and there is no telling how long this injury will sideline one of the Giants’ most important players.
In Barkley’s place, Devontae Booker recorded 58 yards and two touchdowns on 19 touches. Booker was a healthy scratch in Week 3, so it was encouraging to see him produce late, especially after a bad drop early in Sunday’s loss.
“(Barkley) may be back next week, who knows,” Booker said. “But as far as me, I’m gonna continue to work my butt off and prepare like I’m the starter.”