Report: Giants RB Saquon Barkley's status for SNF vs Bills looks promising

New York Giants (1-4) running back Saquon Barkley could make his on-field return in the Week 6 road tilt against the Buffalo Bills (3-2) Sunday.

According to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, optimism is high that Barkley will play Sunday — four weeks after suffering an ankle injury in the 31-28 Week 2 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

"It's looking [the Giants] they will have Saquon Barkley. They still have to work him out before the game but there's a lot of optimism that they'll have Saquon in this game."@JayGlazer gives us an update on Saquon Barkley, who has missed the Giants' last three games ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/T9Phw7UA9T

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 15, 2023

“It’s looking [the Giants] they will have Saquon Barkley,” Glazer said Sunday. “They still have to work him out before the game but there’s a lot of optimism that they’ll have Saquon in this game.”

Barkley, 26, exited the game against the Cardinals with just 1:08 remaining in the fourth quarter after falling awkwardly on a second-down run. Before leaving the game, Barkley recorded 63 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown. He added six receptions for 29 yards and a score. An MRI revealed that Barkley suffered an “ordinary” ankle sprain.

“I feel like I’m trending every week,” Barkley said Thursday. “I felt better last Wednesday and last Thursday, this Thursday, Wednesday, then last Wednesday and Thursday. But when you have injuries, sometimes it takes time. Like I said, just been listening to the trainers, come in here and try and do everything I can, and taking it day by day.”

Giants struggling without Saquon Barkley

Barkley has dealt ankle injuries at times throughout his career. In 2019, he missed three games because of a right ankle injury. In 2021, he sat out of four contests because of an issue with his left ankle. Additionally, Barkley missed nearly all of the 2020 campaign because of an ACL injury suffered in the second week of the season.

The former Penn State standout is playing on a revised franchise tag deal this year. He is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2023 season.

Without Barkley, the Giants have struggled to do much offensively. Entering Week 6, New York ranks last in the NFL in total offense, averaging 255.2 yards per game. The Giants also rank 31st in points per game, averaging just 12.4.