Back Injury: Barkley Limits Playing Time in Eagles Loss
The running back played nine snaps for 62 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game in the third quarter.
By Pavel Bell ·
Saquon Barkley limited his role to nine offensive snaps during the Philadelphia Eagles' 38-21 defeat to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night. He exited the contest in the third quarter after his back locked up, capping a performance where he touched the ball on every play he was on the field.
The Eagles had designated Barkley as questionable for the game due to a hamstring injury that kept him out for the previous two weeks. The coaching staff intended to monitor his workload closely. However, a 29-yard run in the first quarter caused a back strain that worsened as the contest progressed.
Barkley finished with seven carries for 62 yards and two receptions for 9 yards. He scored a touchdown on an 8-yard rush during the team's first offensive possession. He is the first NFL starter in the past 20 seasons to record at least nine offensive snaps with a ball touch on each one.
Nick Sirianni, the Eagles head coach, stated that the medical staff cleared Barkley to play, though the team kept a close watch on his condition. Sirianni noted that Barkley wanted to be available for every play but had to be managed to protect his health. The coach described the running back as tough and driven by his desire to support his teammates.
Barkley reported that his hamstring felt good after the game. He said he did not expect the back issue to cause a long absence, though he deferred to the training staff for a final evaluation. He described the physical struggle of trying to perform at his best while managing pain on the field.
The Eagles faced further setbacks at the running back position. Will Shipley, Tank Bigsby, and Carson Steele remain on injured reserve with foot, abdomen, and shoulder injuries, respectively. Dameon Pierce left the game in the fourth quarter with an undisclosed issue. Elijah Mitchell, called up from the practice squad, handled the remaining rushing duties.
The Eagles will assess Barkley's condition in the coming days to determine his availability for upcoming fixtures.
Source: ESPN
