Saquon Barkley second opinion “commonplace” — Dr. David Chao

Reports on Tuesday indicated that New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley will be seeking a second opinion on the high ankle sprain he suffered Sunday vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Is that something that should alarm Giants fans?

Dr. David Chao, former team physician for the San Diego Chargers, NFL medical analyst for Sirius XM and voice of @ProFootballDoc on Twitter, says no.

“Second opinions are commonplace,” Chao told Big Blue View. “They probably happen more than you think, but when it’s a star player you actually read about it and hear about it.”

“Does it worry me any more? No. It’s not a one-week injury, so why shouldn’t Saquon Barkley and his agent get a second opinion?”

Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

Chao said he does not believe Barkley will have surgery. Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had something called tightrope surgery last year to accelerate his recovery and get him on the field the national title game.

Chao said that surgery is “not widely accepted.”

Chao said the treatment includes rest, immobilization and “possibly platelet rich plasma injection.”

Chao said Giants fans should brace themselves for the idea that they may not see Barkley in uniform until some time in November.

“The issue is if you come back too quickly you end up like Nick Bosa,” Chao said.

Bosa played Week 1 for the San Francisco 49ers after a Week 1 high ankle sprain, but tweaked the injury and has been ineffective since.

“Do I think he [Barkley] could play in four or five weeks? Yes, I do. Will he play in four or five weeks? I don’t know, they may wait for him to get to six or seven [weeks] to lower the risk of setback.

“Suffice it to say he’s lucky to play in late October. He should play and be fine in November. The question is is it the first week or is it the third week?”