Report: Barkley unlikely to play TNF vs. Patriots, Gallman out with concussion

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is unlikely to play in his team's Thursday Night Football matchup against the New England Patriots in Week 6, sources told Jordan Raanan of ESPN.

Thursday's game is expected to be too soon for the 22-year-old back to receive medical clearance despite his return to practice last week, adds Raanan.

The second overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft has missed two complete games since suffering a high ankle sprain 16 days ago during the first half of New York's Week 3 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After posting a league-best 2,028 yards from scrimmage as a rookie last year, Barkley was on pace for another solid campaign, averaging 137 total yards over the first two games before going down.

The Giants' list of Week 6 absences also includes third-year running back Wayne Gallman, who started in relief of Barkley in each of the past two weeks. Gallman will miss Thursday's contest after suffering a concussion against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, reports Raanan.

Undrafted rookie running back Jon Hilliman led the team with nine carries last week and will likely continue to see more action in a short-week tilt against one of the most dominant defensive units in the NFL this season.

New England is currently ranked third in rushing yards allowed per game (78) and has yet to allow a touchdown by an opposing running back in 2019. The Giants, meanwhile, sit ninth in rushing yards per attempt (5.1) and 15th in rushing yards per game (116).

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