Giants to be undermanned against unbeaten Patriots

The New York Giants are going to be without their top two running backs and their two leading receivers against the New England Patriots on Thursday night.

Coach Pat Shurmur announced Wednesday that running backs Saquon Barkley (ankle) and Wayne Gallman (concussion), wide receiver Sterling Shepard (concussion) and tight end Evan Engram (knee) will not play against the New England (50).

It will mark the third straight game Barkley, the 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, has missed with a high sprain to his right ankle. He was hurt on Sept. 15 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has practiced on a limited basis in three straight workouts.

By sitting out, Barkley will get an extra 10 days to rehab for a possible return Oct. 20 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Shepard, Engram and Gallman were hurt Sunday in the 2810 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

The injury to Gallman leaves the Giants with two healthy running backs, Eli Penny and rookie Jon Hilliman.

Gurley out vs. 49ers? Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley missed practice because of a bruised left thigh, and the team doesn’t know if he will be able to play against the 49ers on Sunday.

Head coach Sean McVay would not speculate on Gurley’s availability Sunday.

“He’s so tough and he plays through so many different things,” McVay said. “But there’s still so much time (before Sunday). Even though we did play on a Thursday, we want to be smart with him.”

The Rams (32) haven’t played since last Thursday, when they lost 3029 at Seattle. The team initially thought Gurley’s thigh problem was typical postgame soreness, but the Rams held him and cornerback Aqib Talib (bruised ribs) out of practice Wednesday.

Gurley is 18th in the NFL with 270 yards rushing. He also has 14 receptions.

Briefly: Los Angeles Chargers center Mike Pouncey was placed on injured reserve because of a neck injury. Coach Anthony Lynn said Pouncey will have seasonending surgery but did not want to speculate on whether his condition is career threatening . ... Quarterback Josh Rosen will make his third start in a row for the Miami Dolphins when they face Washington on Sunday, and coach Brian Flores said the job will remain his going forward . ... The Kansas City Chiefs could get top wide receiver Tyreek Hill back for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans. However, Kansas City placed defensive tackle Xavier Williams on IR after he sustained a high ankle sprain in last weekend’s 1913 loss to the Colts.