Giants' Saquon Barkley Among G-Men Testing Positive for COVID

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley might be sidelined again this week, but it might not just be for an ankle injury.

Barkley was one of 13 Giants who tested posted for COVID-19. Other notable members of the team include safety Xavier McKinney and offensive lineman Matt Skura. Barkley and McKinney were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The good news is that both Barkley and Skura are vaccinated, meaning that they will need to test negative twice within the next 24 hours to be eligible to play.

The Giants have been without Barkley since a Week 5 loss to the Dallas Cowboys when the star running back left game with an ankle injury after his leg was stepped on.

The Giants host the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. It’s been two very difficult years for Barkely, who hasn’t seen the field much. In 2020 he missed the entire season with a knee injury he suffered in a Week 2 loss to the Chicago Bears. This year he’s played in only five games.

Barkley hasn’t played a complete season since his rookie year of 2018 when he ran for over 1300 yards. He has only 224 yards rushing in the last two seasons combined.

Barkley is the second high profile player to get COVID this week. Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers contracted COVID and will not play this week against the Kansas City Chiefs. In fact there is an investigation being conducted by the League as to whether Rodgers and the Packers violated any rules regarding COVID protocols.