New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is expected to be sidelined until Week 9 with a low ankle sprain after initially hoping to miss just one game, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Barkley, who the Giants ruled out of Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers, reportedly has an "outside chance" of playing in a Monday matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8.
The 24-year-old spent the offseason rehabbing from a torn ACL that ended his 2020 campaign.
Barkley has missed time every season since playing all 16 games and winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018. He expressed frustration with his health struggles after injuring his ankle in Week 5.
"It doesn't make sense why it's happening," Barkley said.
Devontae Booker and Elijhaa Penny will continue to lead New York's backfield in Barkley's absence.
Injuries have hit the Giants' offense hard lately. The team ruled out wide receivers Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard, and Kadarius Toney for Week 7 and placed left tackle Andrew Thomas on injured reserve this week.
