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Jordan Raanan, ESPN Staff Writer
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Witnessing the New York Giants stage a historic comeback, overturning a 21-point deficit to defeat the Arizona Cardinals 31-28 at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, was undeniably thrilling. However, this exhilarating triumph was overshadowed by the potential loss of star running back Saquon Barkley to an ankle injury.
Sources have informed ESPN that Barkley, who scored two touchdowns (one rushing and one receiving), is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday in Arizona to determine the severity of the injury and the expected duration of his absence.
Although Barkley’s ankle was visibly swollen after the game, initial assessments suggest that it may be an ordinary sprain rather than a high-ankle sprain.
Barkley’s pain was evident as he was escorted to the X-ray room on a cart after limping off the field. Fortunately, X-rays on the ankle yielded negative results, according to sources.
When questioned about the severity of Barkley’s injury, coach Brian Daboll responded, “I don’t know yet.”
Barkley, who displayed disappointment in the locker room despite the Giants’ impressive comeback, declined to comment on the injury. The incident occurred when his ankle turned awkwardly at the bottom of a pile after a run up the middle with just over a minute remaining.
The Giants have a tight schedule this week and will remain in Arizona before traveling to San Francisco on Wednesday for their Thursday night game against the 49ers. Following that, they will have 11 days to prepare for their “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on October 2 at MetLife Stadium.
It’s important to note that Barkley, 26, is currently playing on a revised franchise tag for this year and is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Barkley has a history of ankle injuries, previously missing three games in 2019 due to a right ankle injury and four games in 2021 due to a left ankle injury.
A prolonged absence could adversely affect both his contract prospects and the Giants’ long-term plans.
In Sunday’s game, Barkley had 17 rushes for 63 yards and six catches for 29 yards. He played 97% of the Giants’ offensive snaps, totaling 65 out of 67.
Meanwhile, the Giants managed to salvage their season after a devastating 40-0 loss to the Dallas Cowboys the previous week. They found themselves facing a daunting 20-0 deficit on Sunday. The 60 points they allowed before scoring their first points of the season was the second-most in NFL history since the merger in 1970, and the most since the 1978 Baltimore Colts (86).
This is the third time in their history that the Giants have come back from a 21-point deficit to secure victory, having previously achieved this feat in the 1945 and 1949 seasons. On Sunday, they relied on an outstanding performance in the second half from quarterback Daniel Jones, who threw two touchdown passes and scored another on the ground.
Everything changed with a 58-yard pass from Jones to rookie Jalin Hyatt on the first offensive play of the second half.
“We always stayed confident,” said Jones. “It was about executing the fundamentals: trusting our instincts, identifying the opportunities, and making the plays. We had some missed chances in the first half, but I knew they were there. I just had to execute and give our team a chance to convert. We did it and built upon that.”
In the second half, the Giants amassed 358 yards compared to just 81 in the first half.
“The resiliency displayed by the team was admirable. Securing this victory feels great,” Daboll expressed.
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