EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley likely will miss the rest of the season with a major injury to his right knee.
The Giants (0-2) said an MRI on Monday confirmed Barkley tore the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee on Sunday in a loss to the Chicago Bears.
The 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year will undergo surgery in the near future, the team said.
Barkley went down hard on the Chicago sideline after trying to fend off Bears safety Eddie Jackson on a 6-yard carry early in the second quarter. The No. 2 overall draft choice in 2018 dragged his right leg behind him as he was helped back across the field to the Giants sideline.
After a short conversation with trainers, Barkley got on a cart and was driven into the tunnel.
The 23-year-old Barkley also seemed to be shaken up after he was tackled at the end of an 18-yard run late in the opening quarter, but he quickly re-entered the game.
Barkley gained 6 yards on 15 carries against the Steelers in the season opener, when he had no blocking support. The former Penn State star also was criticized by former Giants running back Tiki Barber for his pass-blocking skills.
With Barkley out, veteran Dion Lewis took over at halfback. New York probably will give Wayne Gallman, who was inactive for the game, more work this week as the Giants (0-2) prepare to play the San Francisco 49ers (1-1) at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
Barkley had his best season as a rookie. He carried 261 times for 1,307 yards and caught 91 passes for another 721. He scored 15 touchdowns, including 11 on the ground.
An ankle injury in the third game of last season caused him to miss three games. He finished with 1,003 yards rushing and 52 catches. His touchdown production went from 15 to eight, with six on the ground.
Barkley had 19 carries for 34 yards this season, including four for 28 yards on Sunday.
For his career, he has gained 2,344 yards rushing and caught 149 passes. He has rushed for 17 touchdowns and caught six TDs behind a mediocre offensive line. He has not had a turnover in 646 plays.
— Panthers’ McCaffrey out multiple weeks with ankle sprain
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Panthers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey is expected to miss “multiple weeks” with a high right ankle sprain he sustained in Carolina’s 31-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Panthers coach Matt Rhule said on a conference call Monday: “I hate it for him. No one wants to be out there more than Christian does. But everything happens for a reason. I’m sure he is rehabbing right now.”
High ankle sprains are generally considered a 4 to 6 week injury, but Rhule said he had no timeline for McCaffrey’s return.
The Panthers (0-2) will turn to Mike Davis as their starting running back when they visit the Chargers this Sunday. It’s possible the team could sign Reggie Bonnafon — McCaffrey’s primary backup last season — from the practice squad to provide depth.
McCaffrey left the game early in the fourth quarter after scoring his second touchdown, which cut Tampa Bay’s lead to 21-14 and gave the Panthers some life. He limped to the sideline and never returned. Rhule said he actually injured the ankle a few plays before that.
“He was upset that he wasn’t out there at the end to help us,” Rhule said.
In two games this season McCaffrey has run for 156 yards and four touchdowns and caught seven passes for 67 yards.
The loss of McCaffrey is a huge blow for the Panthers’ offense.
He was the team’s best offensive playmaker in 2019, becoming only the third player in NFL history to eclipse 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season. The Panthers rewarded the fourth-year running back with a four-year, $64 million contract making him the highest-paid running back in the league.
Rhule said Davis is a “starting tailback in the National Football League and was ready to play. He will play well in Christian’s absence.”
Rhule said the offense won’t change with Davis in the starting lineup.
“He made the most of his opportunities on Sunday,” Rhule said.
— Steve Reed, Associated Press
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