A key weapon for the New York Giants will not be available this week. Running back Saquon Barkley suffered an ankle injury on Sunday against Arizona. Late in the fourth quarter, he needed assistance to get off the field. The official diagnosis is a sprained right ankle, which means Saquon Barkley is out for 2-3 weeks. The big question is: now what?
Quick Turnaround Means Next Man Up
After a big win against the Arizona Cardinals, there is no time for the Giants to waste. They will stay in Arizona for a few more days before heading to Santa Clara on Wednesday to face the 49ers.
The chances of New York signing a free-agent running back is extremely low. So, they will turn to Matt Breida as the starter. A former Georgia Southern product, he has not appeared much this season. He has only three carries for 14 yards and no touchdowns. However, the Giants’ coaching staff has confidence in him to shoulder the burden.
Breida and head coach Brian Daboll go back to their days in Buffalo in 2021. When Daboll became the head coach of the Giants last season, the veteran back followed him to help “establish a winning culture”.
Last season, Breida ran the football 54 times for 220 yards and a touchdown.
Matt Breida gets it in for a Giants touchdown pic.twitter.com/m1DYTHVgzq
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) November 20, 2022
Who Are The Other Alternatives?
Of course, it’s unlikely Breida will get all of the carries against San Francisco and beyond. Rookie Eric Gray could get extensive playing time with Barkley’s absence. New York drafted him in the fifth round this year, but have solely used him as a returner thus far.
Gary Brightwell is another option. A 2021 sixth-rounder, he’s had 33 carries for 150 yards and a touchdown as a Giant. His lone carry this season came against Dallas in garbage time. He has so far appeared mostly on special teams, but that could all change starting Thursday.
It will be tough to replace Saquon Barkley. His presence forces teams to respect the run, allowing Daniel Jones to find his other weapons down the field. Now, we’ll see how the Giants perform without their star running back starting Thursday.
Statistically Speaking…
The New York Giants are 9-13 when Saquon Barkley is not on the field.
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