Gary Brightwell Injury History & Analysis

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.

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 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.