NFL Injury Analysis: Barkley Out for Multiple Weeks

Saquon Barkley

The success of rookie quarterback Daniel Jones was bittersweet, as the Giants lost their star running back in the team's comeback win over the Buccaneers. Barkley suffered a significant ankle sprain in the first half and was unable to return to action. He later returned to the sidelines in a walking boot and on crutches. An MRI performed Monday revealed a syndesmotic or high ankle sprain, and the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year is expected to miss multiple weeks recovering.

Ankle injuries are the most common injury reported in the NFL with sprains topping the list. Most ankle sprains involve the talocrural joint, the articulation formed by the tibia, fibula and talus bones. Here, ligaments on both sides of the joint stabilize the area, preventing excessive motion.  A second joint, the subtalar joint, is formed between the talus and the calcaneus (the heel bone). The subtalar joint is often effected in most "normal" or lateral ankle sprains.

The third and final joint of the ankle is the distal tibiofibular (tib-fib) joint. The tib-fib joint is located at the bottom of the lower leg bones, where the tibia and fibula create a roof over the talus. Three strong ligaments stabilize the ankle mortise, spreading across the joint. If one of these structures is stressed beyond its yield point, the injury is classified as a high ankle sprain.

High ankle sprains are often accompanied by longer recovery windows due to the high degree of force placed on and through the area during weight-bearing motion like walking and running. Surgery can be warranted if the damage is severe enough or if the accompanying instability is too great. Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green is still recovering from a late July high ankle sprain that ultimately required a trip to the operating room. The early estimate from the Giants is four-to-eight weeks with a return likely coming on the latter end of the approximation. Fantasy teams who invested a top pick on Barkley should consider his backup Wayne Gallman as a short-term replacement. The running back depth in New York is slim, and Gallman is in line to carry a healthy workload moving forward. 

Julian Edelman

A rib injury sent the New England receiver to the locker room during the second quarter of the Patriots' win over the Jets. Concerns surfaced that he could be dealing with a cartilage-related injury.  

The rib cage comprises 12 pairs of ribs that are attached to the sternum by a specialized type of connective tissue known as costal cartilage. The cartilage here allows the ribcage to expand when breathing. Costochondral injuries are fairly common in the NFL with several notable players, including LeSean McCoy and Michael Vick, sustaining the injury in recent seasons.

New England unsurprisingly revealed little information about the severity of Edelman's injury following further testing on Monday but did hint that problem is not serious. His availability for Week 4 likely will come down to pain management. The area can be padded and protected, though that can make the midsection of the player bulky, making catching passes a bit more problematic while increasing the chances of a fumble. Keep a close eye on his progression throughout the week ahead, but it appears Edelman has a realistic shot at playing. 

Cam Newton

The Panthers will not commit to an exact timeline regarding Newton and his injured midfoot, but more details about the injury have emerged. It's believed Newton is dealing with a Lisfranc injury.

The midfoot is the area of the foot where the five metatarsal bones of the foot align with the cuboid bone and cuneiform bones. Together, these bones comprise the five tarsometatarsal joints of the foot clinically referred to as the Lisfranc joint. Multiple ligaments, including the particularly tough Lisfranc ligament, fortify the area, making it essential in overall foot stability. Unfortunately, Lisfranc sprains are often difficult to manage and can require surgery if the integrity of the bone or foot is compromised.

Carolina's focus remains on getting their quarterback healthy after he aggravated the injury that initially occurred in the preseason. Newton has already been ruled out for Week 4, setting up a second start for backup Kyle Allen. Allen impressed in his debut, throwing for 261 yards and four touchdowns. Allen's success could allow the Panthers to take a more conservative approach with Newton's recovery, reducing the risk of rushing him back prematurely. If Allen can replicate that production moving forward, it wouldn't be overly surprising to see Carolina opt to hold out Newton until Week 8 following a well-timed Week 7 bye week.

Turf Burns 

T.Y. Hilton : A nagging quadriceps injury forced Hilton out of the second half of the team's win over the Falcons. The Indianapolis receiver originally strained the muscle in Week 2 and was limited throughout the week as the team prepared for the game against Atlanta. He was able to suit up Sunday but reported renewed pain in the area following a touchdown reception near the end of the first half. The team opted to hold him out as a precautionary measure, unwilling to risk him suffering a more significant injury.

The quadriceps is actually a muscle group comprising four individual muscles. The quad is a two-joint muscle, meaning it's involved in motion at the hip and the knee. It is a key component of motion of the leg and an integral part of the kinetic chain of the lower extremity. Given that the injury is clearly less than 100 percent, look for Hilton to remain limited in this week's practice. It may also be worth considering a replacement option if he is unable to play in Week 4 against the Raiders.

DeSean Jackson : The veteran wide receiver is expected to miss a second straight game with an abdominal strain. Initially listed as a groin strain, Jackson's diagnosis was changed after further evaluation. The change in findings isn't uncommon, as the muscles of the groin are closely linked with the abdominal muscles. Injuries to the area are often referred to as core muscle injuries to help minimize confusion. Surgery to address moderate to severe injuries is often needed, though it appears Jackson will not be forced to go under the knife at this time. Look for him to target a Week 5 return. 

Vance McDonald : The Pittsburgh tight end is nursing an undisclosed shoulder injury sustained in the team's loss to San Francisco. McDonald has a lengthy history of shoulder problems dating back to his college days and will be a serious question mark entering Week 4. The fact that the Steelers play on Monday night complicates the situation, and fantasy owners would be wise to have a reliable insurance policy at tight end readily available.