Giants RB Saquon Barkley suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 3 against the Buccaneers. Here's the latest on his prognosis and potential timeframe to return...

Oct. 13, 9:03 PM: 

Saquon Barkley watched from the sideline Thursday in the Giants' 35-14 loss at the New England Patriots in Week 6, but the running back could return for next Sunday's 1 p.m. ET game against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Giants are still in a holding pattern when it comes to Saquon Barkley's availability for next Sunday's game against the Cardinals. Needing some depth at the running back position, the Giants on Friday signed four-year veteran Javorius "Buck" Allen.

Pat Shurmur gave a very noncommittal 'We'll see" answer on Friday regarding Barkley's status. 

The team reportedly worked out three running backs on Friday, according to ESPN's Field Yates: CJ Anderson, Akeem Hunt, and Allen, with Allen ultimately inking a deal with the team.  

Thursday night's 35-14 loss to the Patriots was the worst game of quarterback Daniel Jones' brief NFL career. The rookie went 15-for-31 passing for 161 yards and a touchdown, but threw three interceptions, equaling the total he had in his first three starts combined. 

Jones talked after the game about how he wanted and needed to play better, and after a night to think about the performance, his tune hadn't changed all that much.

When asked on a Friday conference call if he plans on having Saquon Barkley back in uniform for their Week 7 contest against the Arizona Cardinals, Giants head coach Pat Shurmur remained noncommital. 

"We'll see," Shurmur before saying that the running back was "out running around" at the practice facility today. Barkley has been with the team at practice for about a week since suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 3 that was initially expected to keep him out for 4-6 weeks.

With Wayne Gallman (concussion) also out Thursday, the Giants elevated Austin Walker from the practice squad to suit up against the Patriots. But he was waived on Friday, which could be some indication that one or both of the team's injured running backs is ready to return.

The Giants have re-signed quarterback Alex Tanney and waived running back Austin Walter, the team announced on Friday.

Prior to Thursday's loss to the Patriots, the Giants -- in desparate need of running back depth without Saquon Barkley and Wayne Gallman -- waived Tanney and elevated Walter from the practice squad. Walter did not get a carry, but did see the field for one snap on Thursday.

Tanney will return to his role as the team's third-string quarterback behind Daniel Jones and Eli Manning. He was inactive for the first five games of the season before his brief release for Thursday's game.

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The fourth start of Eli Manning's career back in 2004 was an unmitigated disaster. He was lost that day against the Baltimore Ravens. He looked rattled, completing only four of his 18 passes. He threw two interceptions and was eventually benched.

On the train ride back to New Jersey that night, Manning had a long, heart-to-heart talk with offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, and the next day he met with Tom Coughlin to do the same. They figured out a way for him to get comfortable in the offense. They discussed the plays that worked best and the ones he liked to run.

Facing Tom Brady and the Patriots high-powered offense was no easy task for the offense, but in the early going of Thursday's 35-14 defeat, the Giants defense held tough. 

The final stats for New England were gaudy, as they piled up 427 yards of total offense, including 334 through the air.

On the Patriots first seven drives,though, the Giants defense held them to just 148 yards of total offense (just 21.1 per drive), and 53 of those yards game on the Pats' opening drive, which ended with a fourth-down stop by the Giants defense. 

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - No one ever thought it was going to be easy for Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones.

OK, that's not true. A lot of people thought he was the elixir that was going to cure everything that ails the Giants. But the reality always was that once he was given Eli Manning's old job, the 2019 season became all about his growth and learning on the job. 

So consider his encounter with Tom Brady on Thursday night another difficult learning experience for the 22-year-old. He threw three interceptions and struggled most of the night, going 15 of 31 for 161 yards in a 35-14 loss to the defending Super Bowl champs.

All eyes have been on Daniel Jones since he was named the Giants starting quarterback prior to their Week 3 matchup with the Buccaneers.

And while it's the on-field results that matter the most to Giants fans, Jones' pregame arrival videos have become a bit of a phenomenon, mainly because of the internet outcry concerning Jones' fashion sense.

So, without further ado, here is the definite power rankings of the rookie's arrival videos since being named the starting QB. 

The 2-3 Giants travel to play the 5-0 Patriots Thursday at 8:20 p.m. on NFL Network. Here's what you need to know about where to watch...

DATE/TIME: Oct. 10, 2019 at 8:20 p.m. ET

NETWORK: NFL Network and Fox

Prior to the Giants' game against the New England Patriots on Thursday night, the team waived quarterback Alex Tanney while promoting running back Austin Walter from the practice squad, according to SNY's Ralph Vacchiano.

That means Eli Manning will be the Giants only other active quarterback, behind rookie Daniel Jones. 

Tanney, the 31-year-old journeyman QB, has played in just one NFL game since entering the league in 2012. He completed 10 of 14 passes for 99 yards and one touchdown for the Tennessee Titans in 2015.

As the Giants look to rebound, they do so without four of their best players on offense.

Running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) and tight end Evan Engram (knee) joined running back Wayne Gallman and wide receiver Sterling Shepard, who have concussions, Wednesday as out for Thursday's game against the New England Patriots.

Facing the NFL's No. 1 unit in the three categories of 6.8 points, 160.4 passing yards and 238.4 total yards per game, the key absences and short turnaround for Week 6 puts more pressure on Daniel Jones, but the Giants (2-3) need the rookie quarterback and others to step up at the Patriots (5-0).

Without either of its top two running backs available for Week 6's game against the New England Patriots, the New York Giants offense turns to third- and fourth-string players on the depth chart.

The injured Giants (2-3) get the undefeated Patriots (5-0) Thursday at 8:20 p.m. ET after the team ruled out starter Saquon Barkley (ankle) and backup Wayne Gallman (concussion) among four offensive players sidelined, throwing the next men up into the spotlight.

Those are Eli Penny and Jon Hilliman, who have ascended to the top of the rotation after they started their 2019 campaigns as afterthoughts behind the 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year and a third-year Giant.

As if the Giants had enough ground to make up for Thursday against the Patriots, New York now enters the Week 6 game at New England without several keys players on offense.

Running back Saquon Barkely (ankle) and tight end Evan Engram (knee) are officially ruled out for the Giants' 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., as are wide receiver Sterling Shepard (concussion) and running back Wayne Gallman (concussion).

The Giants announced the news Wednesday on Twitter.

Only one day remains for the Giants to prepare for the undefeated Patriots, who they'll face on the road in Foxborough on Thursday Night Football. And that preparation includes trying to be as healthy as possible playing on a short week. 

For the Giants' offense, it has been rough. Wayne Gallman and Sterling Shepard will more than likely be out with their concussions suffered from the loss to the Vikings on Sunday. Saquon Barkley's high ankle sprain has recovered remarkably with him seen cutting and running at practice for a little over a week now, but it's still uncertain that he plays. And finally, Evan Engram reportedly has a sprained MCL in his left knee, which could sideline him, too. 

Those are a lot of playmakers to be without, but luckily on the defensive side of the ball, things are a tad brighter. 

With both sides of the ball riddled with injuries, having a short week -- on the road against the undefeated Patriots nonetheless -- isn't ideal for the Giants, to say the least. And head coach Pat Shurmur doesn't really want to talk about it. 

Speaking after practice on Tuesday, Shurmur didn't go deep into his injury situation that involves Wayne Gallman and Sterling Shepard dealing with concussions, Saquon Barkley still up in the air with his high ankle sprain, and now Evan Engram potentially being out with what ESPN's Adam Schefter is hearing as a sprained MCL on his left knee. Lorenzo Carter was also limited once again with a neck injury. 

But, other than Gallman and Shepard's documented concussions and being in the protocol, he was mute.

The Giants' offense just keeps taking blows, as TE Evan Engram looks to have suffered a sprained MCL, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. 

Engram was out of practice on Monday with what head coach Pat Shurmur called "game soreness."

It is unknown which knee it is, but Engram suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain on his right knee in Week 3 last season. In turn, he missed the next three games in what was a tough sophomore season where he couldn't really get into a groove with his injuries. He also suffered a hamstring strain later in that season. 

There were some questions surrounding how Giants wide receiver Golden Tate felt following his season debut against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5. 

Tate, who returned from a four-game suspension to start his Giants career, said following the 28-10 loss, that he would've liked more touches. 

"Obviously I wish I had a few more opportunities to help us win," Tate said.

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Sterling Shepard is out for the Giants' game in New England on Thursday night, and it seems like he'll probably miss the game against the Arizona Cardinals 10 days later, too. A source said that he is likely to be out a while, given his recent history of concussions.

That means the Giants will have to replace him for at least the next few weeks.

Now, Giants coach Pat Shurmur wouldn't rule out going with the four healthy receivers on the roster -- Golden Tate, Cody Latimer, rookie Darius Slayton and special teamer Cody Core -- at least for the near future. Eventually, though, they may need more depth, especially if Shepard's absence extends into November.

Giants head coach Pat Shurmur met with the media late in the afternoon Monday and gave an update on the status of multiple players after the team went through walkthroughs instead of practice.

Saquon Barkley has been making progress over the last few weeks and has been eyeing Thursday night's game against the Patriots as his return game, as first reported by SNY's Ralph Vacchiano, but Barkley was listed as "limited" for today's simulated practice, and Shurmur has yet to declare Barkley ready.

Shurmur did say "there's a possibility" Barkley plays Thursday and that he is "closer than he was last week."

In his young career, Giants running back Saquon Barkley has yet to face the New England Patriots. Still, due to his ankle injury, it's questionable whether or not the Giants' workhorse will get that chance in Week 6.

The Giants and Patriots meet on a short week, as the two face each other at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Thursday Night Football to kickoff Week 6 of the NFL's weekend slate. 

If Patriots head coach Bill Belichick had his way, Barkley's debut against the Pats will be put on hold.

Giants WR Sterling Shepard has a concussion -- his second of the season -- a source told SNY's Ralph Vacchiano.

According to Vacchiano, the expectation is that Shepard will be out for a while. 

Shepard, who already suffered a concussion earlier this season, reported symptoms to the Giants medical staff when he arrived at the facility on Monday morning and is now in concussion protocol.

Golden Tate missed the first four games of this season due to a controversial PED suspension. And after being nearly as invisible in Week 5's loss to the Vikings during what was his Giants debut, Tate seemed disappointed. 

Tate was targeted just six times on Sunday, reeling in three catches for 13 yards -- with a long of five yards.

Asked after the game if he thought his limited role on Sunday would become the norm, Tate said he hoped not.

A couple of rough outings for New York's football teams have the oddsmakers thinking little of both the Jets and Giants in Week 6. 

Both teams are more than a touchdown underdog in their upcoming contests in their respective opening lines for the NFL's upcoming week. 

In little surprise, the Giants got the worst of it. 

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - This was a big test for rookie quarterback Daniel Jones, and he didn't exactly pass it. Against the first elite defense he's faced in his young career, this game proved he wasn't quite ready.

But it also proved something else important.

The Giants aren't quite ready yet, either.

Giants head coach Pat Shurmur made sure to discuss his own team and credit the Vikings following a 28-10 loss to Minnesota in Week 5. 

"We faced a good football team. There were times in the game we presented ourselves with opportunities... we didn't take advantage of them," Shurmur said.

But his most interesting comment following the game was his comments about some... future comments. 

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - After a wonderful first two games as the starting quarterback of the Giants, Daniel Jones got a taste of what Eli Manning had to endure over most of the previous six years:

Life as a quarterback on a bad team.

There was pretty much nothing Jones could do with a depleted rushing attack behind him, a struggling offensive line in front of him, and a porous defense on the other side - all things that should feel very, very familiar to his current backup. He was 21 of 38 for 182 yards, which isn't exactly good, but also was about what was expected considering he was making his third NFL start and was facing the NFL's sixth-ranked defense (and maybe the league's best secondary).

Giants running back Wayne Gallman was taken into the locker room during Sunday's matchup with the Vikings to be evaluated for a concussion. SNY's Ralph Vacchiano has reported and confirmed that Gallman will be out for the remainder of the game with a concussion.

RB Wayne Gallman does indeed have a concussion and he is OUT for the rest of the game.



So the Giants will ride RB Jon Hilliman and FB Eli Penny the rest of the way.

- Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) October 6, 2019

Gallman was shaken up after a run in the first quarter and walked off the field slowly before heading back into the locker room. Gallman carryed the ball twice for 14 yards before leaving the game.

The 2-2 Giants host the 2-2 Vikings Sunday at 1 p.m. on FOX. Here's what you need to know about where to watch...

DATE/TIME: Oct. 6, 2019 at 1 p.m. ET

NETWORK: FOX

The Giants will play two games in a span of five days this week, as they face the Vikings Sunday afternoon and then the Patriots on Thursday night.

This five day stretch will be one of the biggest tests in rookie QB Daniel Jones' early career, not only because of the time crunch at hand, but also due to the level of play that take place on those fields.

Both the Vikings and Patriots hold Top 6 defenses in the early goings this season, and the Giants will already be without Saquon Barkley for yet another game due to a high ankle sprain he suffered a few weeks back. 

Stefon Diggs will travel with the Vikings to New Jersey when the team takes on the Giants Sunday in a Week 5 matchup at MetLife Stadium, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin. 

Diggs' 2019 season has been a wild ride. He struggled to get going in the first three games of the season, totaling just 101 receving yards combined.

In Week 4, however, he exploded for seven catches and 108 yards and things looked to be back on track for the fifth-year receiver, who signed a five-year, $72-million extension this offseason.

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The miracle comeback by Saquon Barkley now seems like a matter of when -- not if. But the "when" is not likely to be this Sunday.

It's much more likely to be next Thursday in New England instead.

While no one would officially close the door on Barkley playing this Sunday at home against the Minnesota Vikings -- especially since Giants head coach Pat Shurmur won't slam the door shut -- a source familiar with the team's plans said their real target is the Oct. 10 game in New England.

It remains unclear whether or not Giants running back Saquon Barkley will be on the field Sunday when his team hosts the Minnesota Vikings for their Week 5 matchup. 

Despite suffering a high ankle sprain in a win over the Bucaneers in Week 3 and an initial expectation of a much longer absence, Barkley has been out on the practice field the past two days putting in the work to get back as quickly as possible. 

For the second-year pro out of Penn State, it's simply business as usual.

The Giants face a very tough task in trying to take down the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. But that task might be getting a bit easier if a certain playmaker doesn't suit up for the road team. 

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Vikings star WR Stefon Diggs is frustrated with his current situation in Minnesota, and it has become "palpable."

Diggs wasn't at practice on Wednesday due to undisclosed reasons, and Rapoport is hearing teammates don't know if he wants to be there anymore. This comes after Diggs had just signed a five-year, $72 million extension, too. 

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The Giants game against the Minnesota Vikings is now just three days away, and Pat Shurmur is still refusing to rule Saquon Barkley out.

Just how likely the miracle comeback actually is for the Giants star running back remains unclear, but Barkley continued to take steps in that unlikely direction on Thursday morning. As he did on Wednesday, Barkley warmed up with his teammates, jogging and stretching, and then went to the side to work with trainers when the Giants began individual drills.

Was Barkley going to join practice at some point on Thursday?

After he guided the Giants to two wins in his first couple of starts, Daniel Jones gets another challenge Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where New York faces the NFL's No. 6 defense -- the Minnesota Vikings.

While the rookie has impressed since he became the Giants' starter over 16th-year veteran Eli Manning, his first true test matches Jones up with an opposing Vikings unit that allowed an average of 312.8 yards and 15.8 points through four games.

Perhaps second-year Giants head coach Pat Shurmur, who came from Minnesota to New York after two seasons (2016-17) as the Vikings' tight ends coach and offensive coordinator, knows best of what Jones will see in Week 5. 

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Saquon Barkley was sitting on a stool in the locker room in Tampa, unable to stand. He had a boot on his right foot, crutches nearby, and a defiant tone in his voice.

"Whatever (the injury is), I promise you I'm coming back 10 times better," Barkley said back on Sept. 22. "I'm going to try and return as quickly as possible, whenever it is, to heal so I can get back to help my team compete. That's what I'm going to try to do."

The 22-year-old Barkley sounded hopeful for a quick return, but he also sounded a little naïve. He had a high ankle sprain. Multiple sources inside the Giants organization initially said he'd be out at least a month. By the next day, they were worried it might be two.

Giants CB Janoris Jenkins was picked apart in Week 2 against the Bills, complaining after the game that he can't cover anybody "for 10 seconds." He then got torched by Mike Evans of the Buccaneers during the Giants' Week 3 win. His Week 4 was a bit different.

Jenkins had a huge game as the Giants dismantled the Redskins, intercepting two passes and directly influencing a third interception. His reward? NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Week 4's performance was quite the turnaround for Jenkins, who has had an up-and-down tenure with the Giants since signing a five-year deal prior to the 2016 season.

When the Giants placed ILB Ryan Connelly on the IR after suffering a torn ACL, they didn't bring in someone to fill his spot on the 53-man roster. Instead, they brought in another pass rusher in DE Chris Peace, who the Chargers placed on waivers. 

So, instead of bringing in a fresh face, the Giants are promoting their second practice squad player in the matter of two weeks. 

Josiah Tauaefa has been signed to the active roster off of the team's practice squad. Jon Hilliman was also brought up last week to fill in for Saquon Barkley. 

The Giants expected it, and the MRI results confirmed that LB Ryan Connelly, the team's fifth-round pick back in April, will be out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL. It's a shame for the Wisconsin product after the hot start he had, collecting two interceptions in back-to-back games and tallying a sack in his first start on Sunday. 

So the Giants are, once again, spread even more thin at the linebacker position. The reason Connelly got the start in the first place was due to Alec Ogletree (hamstring) and Tae Davis (concussion) having to be sidelined with their own injuries. David Mayo was also playing next to him. 

It's unknown if those two first-teamers will be back against the Vikings this week, but head coach Pat Shurmur sounded optimistic on Monday they are trending in the right direction. 

The Giants officially moved linebacker Ryan Connelly to the injured reserve list on Monday and have now announced a corresponding move.

Taking Connelly's spot is defensive end Chris Peace, who the Giants claimed off of waivers from the Chargers.

Connelly, was serving as the Giants' defensive play-caller this week against the Washington Redskins with starters Alec Ogletree (hamstring) and Tae Davis (concussion) out. The Giants won 24-3 but Connelly was carted off after being injured.

The Giants' offense has looked solid with Daniel Jones under center in the past two weeks. And he's about to get another offensive weapon to throw to in Week 5. 

Veteran WR Golden Tate is returning from his four-week suspension due to violating the NFL's PED policy, and will be plugged right back into the lineup with the Vikings coming to MetLife Stadium on Sunday. 

Of course, Tate wasn't allowed to practice during his time away from the team. But he isn't worried about that, saying "I guess maybe a practice two hopefully" is all he'll need. 

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The Giants have made themselves relevant again with a modest two-game winning streak that has left them one game out of first place, and in the thick of the Wild Card chase one quarter of the way through the season. They have an exciting young quarterback, lots of confidence, and a little bit of momentum.

But is it all just too good to be true?

The next 10 days will tell that story, as the Giants enter a difficult and critical stretch of their season. On Sunday, they face the Minnesota Vikings (2-2), owners of the sixth-best defense in the NFL. Four days later, they travel to New England (4-0) to face a Patriots defense that ranks No. 1. Those are two legitimate playoff contenders with defenses that quarterback Daniel Jones will find hard to decipher.

It may be too early in the season, but it looks like the signing of OLB Markus Golden is panning out just the way the Giants had hoped. 

One of the biggest concerns with this Giants defense entering the season was whether or not they had the personnel to create a consistent pass rush. In Week 1, that concern was even bigger with Cowboys QB Dak Prescott having all the time in the world to find his receivers downfield.

And then after Week 2 when the Giants couldn't get pressure on Bills QB Josh Allen, it had some frustrated with CB Janoris Jenkins saying he couldn't cover a receiver for 10 seconds -- calling out the pass rush. 

There was fear on Sunday that Giants rookie LB Ryan Connelly had torn his ACL, and an MRI has confirmed those fears.

Connelly, who had been performing well this season, is now lost for the year. 

Heading into Week 4 against the Redskins, the Giants were already thin at the linebacker position. Alec Ogletree (hamstring strain) and Tae Davis (concussion) -- the team's first stringers -- were both out. But Connelly was ready for the opportunity to wear the defensive headset and get the start. 

Daniel Jones had a strong showing in his second career start -- despite two interceptions -- and the Giants defense locked down the Redskins as Big Blue won their second-straight game to move to 2-2 on the season.

Oh, and there was some postgame beef between Jabrill Peppers and Landon Collins.

Click below to see how the back pages in NYC reacted...

As the Giants closed out their win over the Redskins on Sunday, it didn't go quietly between the division rivals. 

There was a scuffle after the contest, and it involved former Giants S Landon Collins and the man that took his place in S Jabrill Peppers. 

According to NJ.com, Collins was talking toward the Giants bench when Peppers stepped up to get in his face. They began jawing back and forth with players from both teams stepping in to try to break it up. As they separated, Peppers supposed yelled out, "We're gonna see y'all again! And I want all of that!"

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There has been a dark cloud that has hovered over the Meadowlands for far too long. Too many years where the atmosphere felt stale, where it felt like a stretch to find any actual hope.

It doesn't feel that way around the Giants anymore.

"The energy is just different," said center Jon Halapio.

At running back, the Giants needed all hands on deck for Week 4's pivotal matchup against the Redskins.

Without second-year starter Saquon Barkley, who suffered an ankle injury last Sunday during Week 3's 32-31 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York turned to several next men up with Washington on deck.

Led by third-year pro Wayne Gallman, three running backs answered the call as the Giants (2-2) took care of business against the winless Redskins (0-4) with Sunday's 24-3 win at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.