Gary Brightwell Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Giants RB Saquon Barkley (ankle) is not expected to play vs. the Dolphins today, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Barkley remained limited in practice all week and didn't sound optimistic about his status when speaking to the media. Rapoport adds that Barkley is "closer" to a return. We'll see if he can make it back for Week 6. His absence today again leaves New York's backfield to Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell. Breida has tallied 18 carries and eight targets to Brightwell's eight carries and five targets over the last two weeks. See where both guys land in the updated Week 5 RB Rankings.

Giants RB Saquon Barkley (ankle) is officially inactive for tonight's game vs. the Seahawks. He put in three limited practices this week and has a shot to return for Week 5. Matt Breida figures to serve as New York's lead back tonight after playing 82% of the offensive snaps last week. RBs Gary Brightwell and Eric Gray are also active.

You're living good if you started Giants RB Matt Breida in fantasy football vs. the 49ers on Thursday night. He finished with just 18 total yards on seven touches. But one of those touches went for an eight-yard TD. That at least salvaged a useable fantasy performance in what was an ugly game for Breida and the Giants. The team ran just 46 plays and had only 11 rushing attempts. But Breida split carries down the middle with RB Gary Brightwell, finishing with four apiece. Both RBs also saw three targets. Breida did handily lead Brightwell in snaps and remains the best fantasy bet in this backfield as long as RB Saquon Barkley is out. But he's no better than a RB3, even in an easier Week 4 matchup vs. the Seahawks.

The Giants have officially ruled RB Saquon Barkley out for Thursday night's game against the 49ers. That's been expected since news broke of his Week 2 ankle sprain. Matt Breida is expected to be the first guy up in the Week 3 backfield, but that's only enough to land him in RB4 territory in our Week 3 RB rankings. Expect Gary Brightwell and rookie Eric Gray to mix in as well for a backfield that has been limited even with Barkley through two weeks.

ESPN's Jordan Ranaan gave his take on what the Giants' backfield will look like for however long RB Saquon Barkley is out. Ranaan expects RB Matt Breida to have the "biggest role" due to his familiarity with HC Brian Daboll's offense and his reliability in pass protection. Ranaan adds that RB Gary Brightwell will get "some carries," while RB Eric Gray will be used "sporadically as a runner and pass-catcher." It's confirmation that Breida is the best fantasy bet here -- although not a particularly good one.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Giants RB Saquon Barkley is expected to miss three weeks with his ankle injury. It's an "ordinary" sprain, rather than a high-ankle sprain, Schefter adds. It's all relatively good news, but fantasy owners will still need to prep to be without Barkley for the short term. Schefter's timeline would have him back for Week 6 vs. the Bills. Barkley's absence leaves the Giants' backfield to Matt Breida, Gary Brightwell, and rookie Eric Gray. Breida is the preferred fantasy add but shouldn't be considered more than a low-upside RB3 or flex.

The Giants are signing RB James Robinson, insider Art Stapleton reports. Robinson opened last season as Jacksonville's lead back but quickly fell behind Travis Etienne and was traded to the Jets in October. He carried just 29 times for New York and was a healthy scratch for multiple games. Robinson joins Matt Breida, Gary Brightwell, and rookie Eric Gray behind the still-unsigned Saquon Barkley on the Giants' depth chart. We'll see how that backfield shakes out over the next month, but Robinson is no more than an end-of-draft fantasy flier.

The New York Post's Ryan Dunleavy reports that the Giants are expected to sit "key starters" in Sunday's regular-season finale vs. the Eagles. New York is locked into the NFC's #6 seed and has nothing to play for. We've been projecting QB Daniel Jones and RB Saquon Barkley to sit all week. Look for QB Tyrod Taylor to get the start and for RBs Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell to handle backfield duties. WRs Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins and Richie James could also be held out or be pulled early in Sunday's game.

The Giants gave RB Saquon Barkley just 9 carries and 2 targets in Sunday's loss to the Eagles. He trailed both RB Gary Brightwell and RB Matt Breida by 2 snaps, in a game Barkley entered as a game-time decision because of a neck issue. We'll see about Barkley's status heading into a Week 15 visit to Washington.

ESPN's Adam Schefter hears that RB Saquon Barkley (neck) is "legit 50/50" to play vs. the Eagles today. The Giants "want to see how he feels Sunday in pre-game warmups before deciding whether he will play." We'll get New York's inactives around 11:30 am ET. If Barkley sits, the Giants will be down to RBs Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell.

Giants RB Saquon Barkley totaled just 52 yards in Thursday's loss to the Cowboys. He managed 39 yards on 11 carries (3.5 per rush) and tallied merely 13 yards on 4 receptions Barkley's 6 targets tied 2 others for the team lead. Gary Brightwell chimed in with 5-31 rushing and 2 catches (on 2 targets) for 18 yards. RB Matt Breida went 2-6 rushing and caught his lone target for 9 yards.

Giants RB Saquon Barkley overcame a brief absence Sunday to supply 106 total yards in the win over Green Bay in London. Barkley carried 13 times for 70 yards and a TD. He also caught 3 passes for 36 yards among 6 targets, 2nd most on the team. Barkley left for a portion of the 2nd half to have his right shoulder checked but re-entered. RB Gary Brightwell and TE Daniel Bellinger added TD runs as well.

Giants RB Devontae Booker is a surprise healthy scratch for today's game vs. the Falcons. Booker had been serving as New York's #2 RB. That job will now fall to rookie Gary Brightwell. Booker's absence can only be good news for RB Saquon Barkley's workload.

The Giants released RB Corey Clement. It looked like he might be pushing for the #2 RB role early in camp, but Clement (predictably) faded. Devontae Booker is locked in as Saquon Barkley's handcuff. Rookie RB Gary Brightwell is currently the #3.