Barkley's ankle injury a Giant concern

The Giants could be without their star running back for multiple weeks. More on that and other injuries from their 32-31 win over the Bucs.

Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

If there's a single dark cloud hanging over the Giants' dramatic 32-31 come-from-behind win over the Bucs, it's the injury bug struck again and struck hard at that.

The most significant injury was suffered by starting running back Saquon Barkley, who twisted his ankle int he second quarter of the game.

UPDATE: Saquon Barkley has a high ankle sprain. He will undergo an MRI on Monday. https://t.co/dG0zdZclEn

— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) September 23, 2019

Barkley, who earlier in the game had been evaluated and then cleared of having suffered a concussion, had to be helped to the Giants locker room by two staffers just before halftime. 

When he came out of the locker room, he was on crutches, his right leg in a walking boot.

“Yeah I don’t really know too much about the injury," Barkley said after the game.

"I got an x-ray on it and nothing is wrong with it there. Tomorrow I’m going it get more of an understanding of what it actually is."

Barkley, who watched the game from the sideline and then who was caught on camera trying to hop on one leg to join in the postgame celebration, said it was tough to be a spectator. 

“Personally, it sucks, because as a competitor I just wanna be out there," he said. "That was the biggest reason why I was upset with the injury of course. I hate watching my teammates play without me.

"But just seeing all those guys go out there and just play at a high level and just fight – it was 28-10 at one point. A lot of people would fold in that situation, but we kind of came in here [the locker room] and made an adjustment, got everyone going and you know [Daniel Jones] played great in the second half, the team played great in the second half. I’m just really happy for Daniel to get his first win and for the team to get the first win.”

Barkley said he didn't know if he suffered a high ankle sprain, but he did vow that he wouldn't be down for longer than he needed to be.

"Whatever it is, I promise you I’m coming back 10 times better and I’m going to try return as quickly as possible, whenever it is to heal so I can get back to help my team compete, that’s what I’m going to try to do."

In other injury news, starting inside linebacker Alec Ogletree was also struck down by the injury bug. 

Ogletree strained a hamstring running back what he thought was a live ball after Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston appeared to have fumbled deep in the Giants territory. 

The play was changed to an incomplete pass, but the damage to Ogletree had been done as he left the game.

Tae Davis, who replaced Ogletree in the game, was forced out due to a concussion. That means the Giants could be potentially short on inside linebackers for next weekend's home game against Washington.