Is Saquon Barkley playing this week? (Latest injury update for Giants vs. 49ers in NFL Week 3)
By Peter Dewey
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley has been ruled out for Thursday night’s game against the San Francisco 49ers with an ankle injury.
The #Giants have ruled out vs the #49ers: RB Saquon Barkley (ankle), OL Ben Bredeson (concussion), LB Azeez Ojulari (hamstring), and LT Andrew Thomas (hamstring).
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 20, 2023
Barkley injured his ankle in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals, but Giants head coach Brian Daboll had left the door open earlier in the week for Barkley to return. Despite that, he's been ruled out.
Brian Daboll says that he's not ready to rule out Saquon Barkley for Thursday and that Saquon feels a lot better today: pic.twitter.com/ywRJMr7TVX
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) September 19, 2023
“I’m not saying that he’s out yet,” Daboll said on Tuesday. “He’s a quick healer. I’m not saying he’s in, he’s out. We’re gonna take it all the way up with him to Thursday. But he feels a lot better today.”
Originally, it had been reported that Barkley’s injury would cost him three weeks. It's unclear if he'll be able to return in Week 4.
An MRI showed that Giants’ RB Saquon Barkley suffered an “ordinary” ankle sprain that now is expected to sideline him three weeks, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 18, 2023
The Giants are currently double-digit underdogs against the 49ers.
Saquon Barkley injury status for Week 3 game against San Francisco 49ers
Barkley has been ruled out for Week 3 against the 49ers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Best New York Giants prop bet for Week 3 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Daniel Jones anytime touchdown scorer
With Barkley missing Week 3, the Giants don't have many great options in the run game.
The Giants’ backup running backs are Matt Breida, Eric Gray and Gary Brightwell, and I don’t love any of them as a standalone prop bet target.
So, why not take Daniel Jones – who is elite with his legs – to find the end zone on the ground? Jones scored in Week 2 and put together a great second half against Arizona. He’s one of the few Giants I like in the prop market this week.
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Saquon Barkley injury history
Barkley has dealt with a few injuries since tearing his ACL in the 2020 season, and there's no doubt that the Giants are better when he’s out there.
- Sept. 2019: Pedal Ankle Sprain Grade 2
- Sept. 2020: Knee ACL Tear Grade 3 – missed rest of season
- Oct. 2021: Pedal Ankle Sprain/Pull
- Dec. 2022: Cervical Neck Stinger – did not miss time
- Sept. 2023: Pedal Ankle Sprain Grade 2 – hurt vs. Arizona
When is Saquon Barkley coming back?
It appears that Barkley could be back as soon as Week 4, although his initial timetable to return was three weeks.
New York Giants next 5 opponents
- Seattle Seahawks, Monday, Oct. 2
- Miami Dolphins, Sunday Oct. 8
- Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Oct. 15
- Washington Commanders, Sunday, Oct. 22
- New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 29
New York Giants injury report
- Saquon Barkley (ankle) – out
- Wan’Dale Robinson – questionable
- Andrew Thomas – out
- Azeez Ojulari – out
- Ben Bredeson – out
- Micah McFadden – questionable
San Francisco 49ers injury report
- Ambry Thomas – questionable
- Brandon Aiyuk (shoulder) – questionable
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Find Peter Dewey's betting record here.