Saquon Barkley's injury put a damper on the Giants' win Sunday, and it made fantasy football owners who drafted him in the top two frantically trying to find out who the Giants handcuff is. It sounds like Barkley's dealing with a high-ankle sprain and could miss several weeks, making Wayne Gallman a top pickup on this week's waiver wire. Things are less clear in Kansas City, where LeSean McCoy and Damien Williams are banged up and Darrel Williams led the Chiefs' backfield in touches Sunday. In Atlanta, Devonta Freeman looks set for an increased role for his fantasy owners after Ito Smith left Sunday with a concussion.
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WEEK 4 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
How long is Saquon Barkley out?
Multiple reports have indicated Barkley suffered a high-ankle sprain in Sunday's win over the Buccaneers. After the injury, Barkley returned to the sideline in a walking boot and using crutches. The star RB is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday.
Would you start Saquon Barkley in your #FantasyFootball lineups if he was forced to hop on one leg while holding crutches? #Giants pic.twitter.com/JYLjJP0xVp
— Sporting News Fantasy (@sn_fantasy) September 23, 2019
High-ankle sprains are the worst type of ankle sprain and usually come with a multi-week absence. You shouldn't expect Barkley to suit up for Week 4. It's doubtful New York would hold him out through its Week 11 bye unless he truly needed that much time off, but beyond that, there's no predicting yet when Barkley will return. Wayne Gallman is his direct backup and should assume the bulk of the backfield workload for the Giants in the interim. He has a career 4.0 yards-per-carry average, though when he got even semi-consistent touches his rookie year, he averaged 4.3 ypc and hauled in 34 passes for 193 yards in 13 games. The Giants next four games are vs. WAS, @ MIN, @ NE, and vs. ARI.
MORE: Wayne Gallman a must-add for Barkley owners
LeSean McCoy injury update
McCoy was questionable for Sunday's game with an ankle injury, but he ended up suiting up and scoring two touchdowns. He exited the game in the fourth quarter after he "re-tweaked his injury,"Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after the game. "I think he will be back and fine as we go here," Reid added on McCoy.
With McCoy missing some of the final quarter and Damien Williams out, Darrel Williams led the Kansas City backfield in snaps and touches. Assuming McCoy is fine, Williams might still be a deep-league waiver option, but probably not worth a claim in standard leagues. Damien Williams should be back sooner than later. Anyone who was excited about Darwin Thompson can't be thrilled with his five snaps Sunday.
MORE: Darrel Williams, other waiver wire finds
Ito Smith injury news
Smith left Week 3 early because of a concussion and did not return. With no Smith to take snaps from Devonta Freeman, the lead back got all the RB carries the rest of the way, ceding just one reception to backup Kenjon Barner.
Smith has no recorded concussions, via Sports Injury Predictor, so maybe that means his recovery will be on the quick side. If Smith misses time, that's just a boon to Freeman's value as the unquestioned lead back in Atlanta. The Falcons don't have another RB they'd use in an equivalent role to Smith. Freeman finally looked effective in Week 3, too, rushing 16 times for 88 yards.