Saquon Barkley only recently returned from a multi-week injury absence, but he may have gotten hurt again in Week 7. What happened to the New York Giants RB on Sunday, and what is Barkley’s latest injury status?
Saquon Barkley Injury Update
Barkley was shaken up following a 12-yard run with 9:32 remaining in the first quarter. He appeared to have injured his left arm and asked to be subbed out of the game.
#NYGiants RB Saquon Barkley was shaken up after this play.
Trainers are looking at his left arm on the sideline.pic.twitter.com/CxiQZR6C8O
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 22, 2023
New York’s trainers examined Barkley on the sideline and then put a sleeve on his left arm. The veteran running back then began taking handoffs from backup quarterback Tommy DeVito, attempting to test his arm for game action.
Fortunately, Barkley was able to return for New York’s next offensive series. He is wearing a sleeve on his left arm/elbow.
After the game, Barkley said he hyperextended his elbow but suggested he’s not dealing with a significant injury.
Barkley suffered an ankle sprain in Week 2 and missed the Giants’ next three games, returning for last week’s loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Matt Breida, who handled the majority of Big Blue’s backfield touches during Barkley’s absence, took the next two carries after Barkley departed today. New York also has Gary Brightwell and fifth-round rookie Eric Gray on its RB depth chart.
Barkley, who signed a revised one-year deal instead of accepting the franchise tag this offseason, is scheduled to reach free agency in 2024.
Despite the Giants’ lackluster start, they are not expected to trade Barkley before the NFL’s Oct. 31 deadline, as The Athletic reported this morning.
What Would the Giants’ Offense Look Like Without Barkley?
If Barkley is out, this is a story we’ve already had this season — and it’s an ugly one for fantasy football managers.
Entering Week 7, Breida had 34 carries for the season, and none gained more than eight yards. In theory, this would put some extra volume on the passing game, but there isn’t much to address on that front.
Wan’Dale Robinson remains a PPR-only, low-end Flex play, while Darren Waller is a fringe top-10 tight end who benefits more from a brutal position than anything he has shown us on the field.
In this situation, counting on zero Giants is the best path to fantasy success.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe