HEADLINE

Giants rule out RB Barkley, TE Engram, WR Shepard

Field Level Media

October 09, 2019 at 5:20 pm.

Giants running back Saquon Barkley will sit out for the third consecutive week while recovering from a high ankle sprain on Thursday when the New England Patriots welcome New York to Foxborough, Mass.

The Giants (2-3) are also taking the field on a short week without tight end Evan Engram (knee) and wide receiver Sterling Shepard (concussion).

Barkley increased his activity this week, from running in a straight line to position drills, but holding him out this week affords Barkley an expanded window for rest with 10 days before the Week 7 game against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 20.

“You only have four days instead of seven, so everything you do is compressed,” Giants coach Pat Shurmur said of getting his short-handed team ready. “There’s always a balance trying to get them physically and mentally prepared with the time allotted. Every NFL team has a four-day turnaround once a year, and this just happens to be our week.”

Wide receiver Golden Tate returned from a four-game suspension last week, which could help offset some concerns about the offense.

However, rookie quarterback Daniel Jones was hit eight times and sacked four times last week and New England has allowed only 6.8 points per game in reaching 5-0 for the fourth time under head coach Bill Belichick.

Running back Wayne Gallman is also out with a concussion. Jonathan Hilliman (19 carries, 53 yards in 2019) and Elijhaa Penny (eight carries, 30 yards) are expected to share carries in the Giants’ backfield.