Giants’ 21-point comeback marred by Saquon Barkley ankle harm

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The New York Giants tied their greatest come-from-behind win in franchise historical past, rallying from 21 factors all the way down to beat the Arizona Cardinals 31-28 at State Farm Stadium on Sunday. It was an exhilarating victory for the guests, besides that it got here with a darkish cloud solid by the opportunity of dropping star working again Saquon Barkley to an ankle harm.

Barkley, who scored two touchdowns (one speeding and one receiving), will bear an MRI on Monday in Arizona to find out the severity of the harm and the way a lot time he might miss, sources instructed ESPN.

Barkley’s ankle was swollen after the sport, however the preliminary considering, within the phrases of 1 supply, is that “it is an peculiar [sprain], somewhat than a high-ankle sprain.”

It was clear that Barkley was in ache as he took a cart to the X-ray room after limping off the sphere. X-rays on the ankle had been adverse, in keeping with sources.

“I do not know but,” coach Brian Daboll mentioned when requested concerning the severity of Barkley’s harm.

Barkley, who had the lone bitter face within the locker room after the Giants erased a 28-7 deficit to even their report, politely declined to touch upon the harm, which occurred when the ankle turned awkwardly on the backside of a pile after a run up the center with simply over a minute remaining.

The Giants have a brief turnaround this week and can stay in Arizona earlier than touring to San Francisco on Wednesday forward of Thursday night time’s recreation towards the 49ers. They then have 11 days earlier than internet hosting the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 2 on “Monday Evening Soccer” at MetLife Stadium.

Barkley, 26, is enjoying on a revised franchise tag this yr. He is set to develop into a free agent on the finish of the season.

Barkley has a historical past of ankle accidents. He missed three video games in 2019 with a proper ankle harm and 4 video games in 2021 with a left ankle harm.

An prolonged absence might harm his contract prospects and the Giants’ long-term outlook.

Barkley had 17 rushes for 63 yards and 6 catches for 29 yards Sunday, enjoying 65 of 67 offensive snaps (97%).

The Giants, in the meantime, probably saved their season. After dropping 40-0 to the Dallas Cowboys every week in the past, New York discovered itself staring down a 20-0 deficit Sunday. These 60 factors the Giants allowed earlier than scoring their first level of the season had been the second most allowed earlier than scoring to start a season for the reason that 1970 merger, and essentially the most for the reason that 1978 Baltimore Colts (86).

For the third time of their historical past, the Giants got here again from down 21 factors to win, after additionally doing so throughout the 1945 and 1947 seasons. On Sunday, they did it behind a monster second half from quarterback Daniel Jones, who threw for a pair of scores and ran for an additional.

All of it started with a 58-yard cross from Jones to rookie Jalin Hyatt on the primary offensive play of the second half.

“We all the time remained assured,” Jones mentioned. “It was getting again to easy execution: trusting it, seeing it and ripping it. We had some alternatives to make performs within the first half. We did not do it. I knew they’d be there. I simply needed to execute and provides our guys an opportunity to make these performs. We did it and constructed on that.”

The Giants totaled 358 yards within the second half, in contrast with 81 within the first.

“The end that these guys had … it was good to get a win,” Daboll mentioned.