Report: Saquon Barkley not likely to play against Patriots

Saquon Barkley said over the weekend that he had made it his goal to return to action when the New York Giants face the New England Patriots on Thursday night, but it sounds like the star running back will have to miss at least one more game.

Barkley, who is recovering from an ankle injury, has not yet received full medical clearance. He is unlikely to play on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.

Saquon Barkley unlikely to play Thursday night against the Patriots, per sources. Still expected to be too early for medical clearance despite returning to practice last week. It has been 16 days since he suffered a high ankle sprain.

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) October 8, 2019

Barkley was initially expected to miss up to two months after he suffered a high-ankle sprain in New York’s Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It has been just over two weeks, and the former Penn State star has made it clear he was downright offended by people thinking he would miss that much time.

Giants head coach Pat Shurmur told reporters on Monday that there is a “possibility” Barkley will play on Thursday, and the videos we saw of Barkley running and cutting at practice last week appeared to prove he is way ahead of schedule. However, the Giants are still going to be cautious no matter who the opponent, and they are thinking about Barkley’s long-term health more than having him back to face one of the toughest teams in football.