The New York Giants will be unable to welcome Saquon Barkley (ankle) back this Sunday after a false-positive for COVID-19 stunted his rehab. They will also be without rookie Gary Brightwell, who won’t come off the reserve list in time for the Week 9 game.
Dan Duggan of The Athletic was the first to report the news.
The Giants won’t have rookie RB Gary Brightwell back from the COVID-19 reserve list for tomorrow’s game, per source. Receivers Kenny Golladay (knee) and John Ross (quad), both listed as questionable, are expected to play as long as they don’t have any setbacks.
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) November 6, 2021
Like Barkley, it is believed that Brightwell tested false-positive before landing on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. He would be required to test negative consecutively and show no symptoms of the virus before being removed.
The Giants experienced in excess of 20 false-positives this week, forcing them to temporarily halt rapid testing and return to PCR testing. It is believed that an issue with the lab is at fault for the incorrect testing results.
In addition to Brightwell, the Giants will also be without running backs coach Burton Burns. He was a true positive for COVID-19 and has been isolated from the team.
Freddie Kitchens and Jody Wright will coach the running backs in place of Burns.
Due to their depth issues at the position, the Giants are expected to elevate Dexter Williams, who was signed earlier this week, or Sandro Platzgummer from their practice squad.
Currently, Devontae Booker and fullback Eli Penny are the only healthy bodies at the position.
