Saquon Barkley has ‘realistic chance’ to face Patriots on Thursday

Saquon Barkley was downright offended when some media outlets reported that he could be out up to two months after he suffered an ankle injury in the New York Giants’ Week 3 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and there is a good chance he will only end up missing two games.

Barkley will not play on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, but Ian Rapoport and Kim Jones of NFL Network were left with the impression that he has a “realistic chance” to face the New England Patriots on Thursday night after they spoke with the star running back.

“I think so. I think so,” Barkley said when asked about Thursday’s game. “Just continue to attack rehab in the right way and when it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. … I mean, that would be awesome. Not just Tom Brady but the fact that it’s the Patriots. Are they the best team in the NFL right now? You could argue that, right? Most people would probably say they are the best in the NFL. So, to be able to have the opportunity to play against a team like that, on Thursday night, go to New England, would be dope.”

Barkley admitted to Jones on Friday that he was bothered by reporters saying he would be out four to eight weeks.

“Maybe because of my competitive nature. How are you going to tell me (that)? No one was in the doctor’s office (with me), no one has seen my ankle, everyone’s different,” he said.

There’s no question missing just two games after suffering a high-ankle sprain would be an impressive feat. The videos we saw of Barkley running and cutting during the week are remarkable, as most people opt to remain in a walking boot and rest for at least a month with the same injury. While he clearly wants to play on Thursday because it’s such a big game, it would be a shock at this point if Barkley is not back by Week 7 at the latest.