Giants running back Saquon Barkley exits game vs. Cardinals in fourth quarter with injury
Unfortunately for New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, he had to be helped off the field late in the team’s game vs. the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon. He’d just made his impressive comeback to the NFL last season with an injury-free year. Giants fans can only hope it’s nothing serious–given his injury history.
Check out the video below. Barkley needed assistance from multiple people getting off the field.
The broadcast showed Barkley slamming his helmet to the ground in frustration on the sideline as he was being examined. Following the game, reports on social media said that Barkley was being carted to get x-rays.
Shortly after the game finished, on Sunday Night Football, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio said that he has a right ankle injury. There are fears the injury could be serious, but we’ll have to wait and see what further tests and medical evaluations reveal. He limped around the locker room and the ankle was a bit swollen. Clearly, he was in visible pain and discomfort.
The injury spoiled one of the biggest comebacks in Giants’ franchise history on Sunday afternoon. They trailed 28-7 after an awful start. But New York managed to come all the way back and win the game, 31-28. It was their largest comeback victory since 1949.
Last season, the former Penn State star had his best season in a few years, returning to his elite form. Barkley rushed for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns on 295 carries. As a receiver, he also hauled in 338 receiving yards on 57 catches, giving him over 1,600 total all-purpose yards.
Barkley tore his ACL in 2020, which sidelined him for all but two games of that season. In 2021, Barkley suffered an ankle injury which limited his productivity for much of that season. He had 162 carries for 593 rushing yards and two touchdowns, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. It should be noted the injury in 2021 was a left low ankle sprain.
His first season in the NFL, the former Penn State star exploded onto the scene, racking up 2,028 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns. After putting up those stellar numbers, he earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
While at Penn State, Barkley had a highly decorated career, leaving as one of the greatest running backs to ever suit up for the school. He finished his career there with 3,843 rushing yards, which currently ranks him as the school’s second all-time leading rusher. First is Virginia native Evan Royster, who piled up 3,932 career rushing yards with the Nittany Lions.