The New York Giants equaled their best comeback victory in team history on Sunday, rebounding from a 21-point deficit to defeat the Arizona Cardinals 31-28 at State Farm Stadium. It was an exciting triumph for the visitors, but it was overshadowed by the risk of losing star running back Saquon Barkley to an ankle injury.
According to ESPN, Barkley, who scored two touchdowns (one running and one receiving), will get an MRI on Monday in Arizona to establish the severity of the injury and how much time he may lose.
Barkley’s ankle was swollen after the game, but according to one source, “it’s an ordinary [sprain], rather than a high-ankle sprain.”
Barkley was clearly in agony as he limped off the pitch and onto a cart to the X-ray room. According to reports, ankle X-rays were negative.
“I don’t know yet,” coach Brian Daboll said when asked how serious Barkley’s injury was.
Barkley, who had the only unhappy expression in the locker room after the Giants rallied from a 28-7 hole to tie the game, respectfully refused to remark on the injury, which happened when the ankle rotated awkwardly at the bottom of a pile after a run up the middle with little over a minute left.
The Giants will stay in Arizona this week before travelling to San Francisco on Wednesday ahead of Thursday night’s game against the 49ers. They will then have 11 days until meeting the Seattle Seahawks on “Monday Night Football” on Oct. 2 at MetLife Stadium.
This year, Barkley, 26, is playing on a new franchise tag. He’ll be a free agent at the conclusion of the season.
Barkley is prone to ankle issues. He was out of action for three games in 2019 due to a right ankle injury and four games in 2021 due to a left ankle injury.
An protracted absence might jeopardise his contract possibilities as well as the Giants’ long-term ambitions.
Barkley rushed for 63 yards and caught six passes for 29 yards on Sunday, while playing 65 of 67 offensive plays (97%).
Meanwhile, the Giants may have preserved their season. Following a 40-0 loss to the Dallas Cowboys a week ago, New York found itself facing a 20-0 disadvantage on Sunday. The Giants’ 60 points surrendered before scoring their first point of the season were the second highest in a season since the 1970 merger, and the most since the 1978 Baltimore Colts (86).
The Giants won after coming back from a 21-point deficit for the third time in club history, having done it before in 1945 and 1947. They accomplished it on Sunday thanks to a spectacular second half from quarterback Daniel Jones, who passed for two touchdowns and ran for another.
On the first offensive play of the second half, Jones threw a 58-yard pass to rookie Jalin Hyatt.
“We always remained confident,” Jones remarked. “It was getting back to basics: trusting it, seeing it, and ripping it.” We had a few chances to make plays in the first half. We did not carry it out. I had a feeling they’d show up. All I had to do was execute and give our players an opportunity to make those plays. We accomplished that and then expanded on it.”
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