This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
The New York Giants
The Giants have been a surprisingly fantasy friendly team since Daniel Jones took over as quarterback. Unfortunately, injuries have limited player availability and prevented players like Wayne Gallman and Sterling Shepard a chance to build on the team's success.
It starts in the backfield as Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley remains limited by a high ankle sprain sustained in Week 3. The initial estimate for his return to play was six to eight weeks, though Barkley is clearly ahead of those projections. He has been an active participant in individuals drills, working closely with the team's medical and performance staff. The important take away here is that he was able to perform lateral motion and change-of-direction exercises. These movements stress the sprained ligaments, testing the integrity of the joint. If he can continue to progress, Barkley has a legitimate chance to return a bit earlier than believed. The Pro Bowler has been present for the team's early week practices, but it remains unlikely that he suits up Thursday against the Patriots. Look for Barkley to return to action in Week 7 against the Cardinals.
Barkley's backup is also questionable for Thursday night after Gallman suffered a concussion in the first quarter of the team's loss to the Vikings. The head injury prevented him from building on his Week 4 performance when he totaled 118 yards for scrimmage and scored two touchdowns. The shortened week of preparation makes it doubtful Gallman will have adequate time to
The New York Giants
The Giants have been a surprisingly fantasy friendly team since Daniel Jones took over as quarterback. Unfortunately, injuries have limited player availability and prevented players like Wayne Gallman and Sterling Shepard a chance to build on the team's success.
It starts in the backfield as Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley remains limited by a high ankle sprain sustained in Week 3. The initial estimate for his return to play was six to eight weeks, though Barkley is clearly ahead of those projections. He has been an active participant in individuals drills, working closely with the team's medical and performance staff. The important take away here is that he was able to perform lateral motion and change-of-direction exercises. These movements stress the sprained ligaments, testing the integrity of the joint. If he can continue to progress, Barkley has a legitimate chance to return a bit earlier than believed. The Pro Bowler has been present for the team's early week practices, but it remains unlikely that he suits up Thursday against the Patriots. Look for Barkley to return to action in Week 7 against the Cardinals.
Barkley's backup is also questionable for Thursday night after Gallman suffered a concussion in the first quarter of the team's loss to the Vikings. The head injury prevented him from building on his Week 4 performance when he totaled 118 yards for scrimmage and scored two touchdowns. The shortened week of preparation makes it doubtful Gallman will have adequate time to complete the league's mandated return-to-play protocol. As a result, it looks as though rookie Jon Hilliman will make his first career start. Hilliman's debut will come against a stingy New England defense that has surrendered the second fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs.
The ground game isn't the only area of the Giants' offense hampered by injury. Jones' top two aerial targets could both be sidelined when the team kickoffs on Thursday. Tight end Evan Engram remains limited by a knee injury suffered in Week 5. Engram sprained the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his knee. The MCL sits on the inside aspect of the knee and provides support during side-to-side motion. Unlike the ACL, MCL injuries can often heal without surgical intervention, especially if damage to the medial meniscus is avoided. It sounds like Engram suffered a low-grade sprain, meaning a prolonged absence is unlikely. However, he is doubtful to play on Thursday.
Receiver Sterling Shepard has already been ruled out of Thursday's game after suffering his second concussion of the regular season on Sunday. The effects of concussions are cumulative, meaning Shepard is likely to experience more intense and prolonged associated symptoms. The former Oklahoma wideout has a history of concussions dating back to his high school days and could easily be facing a multiweek absence. Golden Tate, fresh off a four-game suspension, should see a healthy workload in his return.
Johnson's lower back tightened up during the team's win over the Bengals and could threaten his availability for Week 6. The term tightness is often associated with a muscular injury. These types of injuries can be difficult to manage as they often set off a vicious sequence known as the pain-spasm-pain cycle.
Pain linked to an underlying injury causes the surrounding muscles of the back to contract in spasms. Unfortunately, prolonged spasms increase pain, which increases tension in the area. This tightness then leads to more pain, which initiates the sequence again.
As a result, breaking the cycle is the initial step in treatment. Once the symptoms have subsided, locating and fixing the primary cause of the injury is crucial to preventing the cycle from reoccurring. Look for Arizona to limit his workload in this week's practices to insure he is ready to go Sunday against the Falcons. Johnson likely is a game-time decision, with Chase Edmonds becoming an intriguing waiver wire target. The second-year running back carried the ball eight times for 68 yards and a touchdown Sunday and would be the starter should Johnson be unable to play.
Turf Burns
Sam Darnold: While the Giants keep losing players, their in-house rivals will be getting back a crucial one, as the Jets are set to welcome back their starting quarterback. Darnold has been cleared to return from his bout with mononucleosis that has kept him sidelined since the season-opener. He was an active participant in practices leading up to Week 5 but was unable to receive the necessary medical clearance in time to return to game action. Mono can be difficult to shake, and Darnold may need some time to kick off some accumulated rust. He will be a precarious play in Week 6 against the Cowboys.
Christian Kirk: The ankle injury that kept Kirk in street clothes on Sunday isn't a severe as the team initially feared. However, it is clear they plan on treating his return conservatively and he remains a question mark for the week ahead. Keep an eye on his availability during this week's practice and consider him a likely game-time decision.
Christian McCaffrey: It shouldn't be surprising that McCaffrey's legs were a bit tired after he ran all over the Jaguars in Week 5. McCaffery was limited by cramps near the conclusion of the game but not before rushing for 176 yards while adding 61 receiving yards. The Panthers don't appear overly concerned with the problem but will likely give him a bit more rest than usual in this week's preparation for Tampa Bay. Continue to start him with confidence.
Patrick Mahomes: The reigning NFL MVP has looked mortal over the past few weeks due to a lingering ankle sprain. Mahomes has still racked up passing yards since suffering the injury, but has tossed just one touchdown and was seen limping for a majority of the Chiefs' loss to the Colts. The injury appears to be limiting his ability to plant and throw. He remains a must start despite the ailment, but expectations should be adjusted accordingly.
Mason Rudolph: The Steelers quarterback suffered a scary-looking injury Sunday when he was knocked unconscious following a helmet-to-helmet hit. He was taken to a hospital for observation but has been released and sent home. Rudolph will need to complete the concussion protocol before he can play, though he seems poised to miss at least one week. Devlin Hodges would start for Pittsburgh with Pro Bowl quarterback Ben Roethlisberger already lost for the season.
