Anytime the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Giants meet, it always seems to be great fun. The teams on the field together conjures images of Joe Montana, Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott, Phil Simms, Mark Bavarro (who could forget Bavarro running with all the 49ers on his back? Mark Bavaro Carrying 49ers Defense – YouTube) and so many more.
But this latest edition of the 49ers-Giants on Thursday night’s Amazon Prime broadcast at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara definitely won’t have Giants running back Saquon Barkley, and it might not have 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
NBC Sports Bay Area is reporting (49ers-Giants injury report: Brandon Aiyuk’s status remains in question – NBC Sports Bay Area & California) that Aiyuk is still iffy for Thursday night’s game after injuring his left shoulder in the 49ers’ 30-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams Sunday in L.A.
Also of note, the affiliate says cornerback Ambry Thomas is questionable, as well (knee).
As for Barkley, NewsDay, Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and other outlets have reported he is definitely out for the Giants’ game against the 49ers with a sprained ankle injury (Giants’ Saquon Barkley Won’t Play vs. 49ers with Ankle Injury | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors | Bleacher Report).
The 49ers are off to a fast 2-0 start with a dominating win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in week one, then an NFC West division win over the rival Rams in week two. The Giants were crushed by the Dallas Cowboys, 40-0, at home at MetLIfe Stadium in week one, then came back from the (apparent) dead to beat Arizona on Sunday.
So what looked to be a write-off game got a lot more interesting with the Giants’ comeback, even if Barkley won’t be in the lineup.
