New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, who suffered a high ankle sprain in a 32-31 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3, will seek a second opinion from specialist Dr. Robert Anderson on Wednesday.
Although initial x-rays were negative and an MRI confirmed the team’s diagnosis of a high ankle sprain, Barkley isn’t content with the notion that he could miss upwards of eight weeks and is hopeful that a second opinion will yield a more optimistic result.
Of course, it’s also possible that Barkley will undergo additional tests to determine if surgery is necessary or an option, although it’s rare that high ankle sprains need surgery even if a ligament is completely torn. Generally, immobilization and time does the trick.
Ultimately, this is likely just another step in the process for Barkley, who won the 2018 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and was considered the single most important piece to the Giants’ offense in 2019.
Barring something unforeseen, expect Barkley’s return timetable to remain somewhere in the 4-8 week range.
