Barkley avoids ankle surgery

New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur confirmed reports on Thursday that star running back Saquon Barkley won't require surgery to repair his injured ankle.

"Saquon got his second opinion and I guess it's been determined we just rehab him," Shurmur said, according to the New York Daily News' Pat Leonard. "I don't want to put any timeframe on how long it will take him to come back."

Barkley was told by noted specialist Dr. Robert Anderson that he didn't need surgery, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Shurmur added that Barkley will not be placed on injured reserve, which would have held him out for a minimum of eight weeks.

The second-year runner, who put up 2,028 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns on his way to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors last season, injured the ankle late in the second half of the Giants' Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He later returned to the sideline with crutches and a walking boot.

It was previously reported that the Penn State product was set for a four-to-eight week absence.

Third-year pro Wayne Gallman has been tapped to lead the Giants' ground game in the immediate future. Gallman rushed five times for 13 yards after Barkley exited against the Bucs.

Gallman and the Giants will look to get another win sans Barkley when the division-rival Washington Redskins go to MetLife Stadium for a Week 4 tilt.

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