Report: Saquon Barkley, Evan Engram Unlikely To Play Vs. Patriots On Thursday Night
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Giants are likely to be without their best player when they visit Foxboro on Thursday night.
Though second-year running back Saquon Barkley continues to recover at a remarkable pace from his high ankle sprain, the running back is "unlikely" to be able to play Thursday against the Patriots, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.
"Still expected to be too early for medical clearance despite returning to practice last week," Raanan tweeted. "It has been 16 days since he suffered a high ankle sprain."
Saquon Barkley unlikely to play Thursday night against the Patriots, per sources. Still expected to be too early for medical clearance despite returning to practice last week. It has been 16 days since he suffered a high ankle sprain.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) October 8, 2019
Making matters worse, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that it'll be "challenging" for tight end Evan Engram to play as he deals with an MCL injury.
Sterling Sherpard is also out due to a concussion.
In addition to WR Sterling Shepard being out Thursday at New England and RB Saquon Barkley being unlikely to play, there's also a real chance the Giants will be without TE Evan Engram, who is dealing with a sprained MCL, per source. It'll be a challenge for Engram to play at NE.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 8, 2019
Barkley, the second overall pick in the 2018 draft, rushed for 237 yards and a touchdown on 37 carries this season before suffering the injury in Week 3. He also caught 11 passes for 74 yards.
Last year as a rookie, he rushed for 1,307 yards and 11 touchdowns, while catching 91 passes for 721 yards and four more touchdowns, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in the process.
Without Barkley, the Giants have leaned on Wayne Gallman and John Hilliman in the run game, though Gallman himself is now dealing with a concussion. Eli Penny has gotten carries in Gallman's absence.
Engram, Barkley, and Shepard are the Giants' top three players in yards from scrimmage, having amasses more than half of New York's total yardage thus far. Together, the trio has gained 998 of New York's 1,896 yards. Gallman ranks fourth on that list with 186 yards from scrimmage, too.