Monday’s NFL: Minor injury could limit Giants’ Saquon Barkley vs. Lions
East Rutherford, N.J. — The New York Giants had a hold-your-breath moment with rookie running back Saquon Barkley during practice Monday. It turned out to be only a minor scare.
The No. 2 overall draft pick caught a swing pass out of the backfield from fellow rookie Kyle Lauletta and was injured either stretching to make the catch or running down the sideline after the catch.
Barkley seemed to be favoring a leg as he walked back up the field. He eventually put his hands on his knees and then went to the turf and lay on his back while head trainer Ronnie Barnes examined him.
An ice pack was put on his left leg. However, it had been removed before he left the field after the roughly 70-minute practice, which was moved indoors because of rain.
"Saquon has a mild strain, and we'll be smart with him as we move along here," coach Pat Shurmur said later in the afternoon.
The Giants will practice for three days against the Detroit Lions in Allen Park starting on Tuesday.
Barkley had the perfect start to his Giants' career in the 20-10 preseason loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night. He took a handoff from Eli Manning on the first play from scrimmage and scampered 39 yards. The former Penn State running back finished with five carries for 43 yards.
Given Barkley's injury, it's uncertain how much work he will get or whether he will play in the preseason game on Friday night in Detroit.
"We want our guys to be smart, we want our guys to compete, be smart, we want to stay off the ground, we want to eliminate all that chatter and just keep it encouraging," Shurmur said. "That's part of being a pro is being able to practice not only with your team, but with other teams. I understand competitive spirit. Those are two teams and that's their experience. We're going to try to guard against it."
One thing neither Shurmur nor Lions coach Matt Patricia will want is a melee like the one the Jets and Redskins had this past weekend.
"I think it's important that you need to learn how to compete and compete at a very high level," Shurmur said, "but I think it's always important to keep your composure."
Ex sues McCoy
LeSean McCoy’s ex-girlfriend is suing the Buffalo Bills running back for failing to protect her after she was bloodied, beaten and had $133,000 worth of jewelry stolen during a home invasion last month.
Delicia Cordon also alleges in a lawsuit filed in Fulton County, Georgia on Friday that McCoy would “often brutally beat his dog,” and would also “aggressively, physically discipline and beat his young son.”
Without blaming McCoy for playing a role in the home invasion, Cordon accuses him of breaching his duty to protect her because he owned the home.
A person familiar with the situation said the lawsuit will not affect McCoy’s status on the team.
NFL shot follows acquittal
Former University of Tennessee star linebacker A.J. Johnson, 26, is getting a shot with the Broncos less than a month after he and a college teammate were acquitted of aggravated rape charges.
Extra points
Rookie linebacker Roquan Smith’s holdout is reportedly nearing an end. Representatives of and the Bears are finalizing details of his contract, two people with knowledge of the situation said.
... The stadium being built for English Premier League club Tottenham isn’t ready to host the NFL this year, so the Oct. 14 game between the Seahawks and Raiders will be played at London’s Wembley Stadium.
... The Texans said they’re donating the turf they played on at NRG Stadium last season to a high school hit hard by Hurricane Harvey.
... Vikings guard Nick Easton required surgery for a neck injury that has likely ended his season.
... Quarterback Paxton Lynch inched closer to bust status Monday when he was demoted to third string after Chad Kelly’s solid debut in the Broncos’ exhibition opener.