Saquon Barkley Injury Update: Hamstring and Back Cut Short His Return Against the Cowboys

Saquon Barkley’s return to the Philadelphia Eagles lineup lasted only part of a night. The star running back came back from a two-game absence with a hamstring injury on Monday, Oct. 26, against the Dallas Cowboys, but he appeared to tweak the hamstring on his first carry and later left with a back injury. Dallas won 38-21, Philadelphia’s fifth straight loss, which dropped the Eagles to 2-5.

After the game, Barkley played down both problems. That leaves his status for Sunday night’s game against Washington as the big question.

Did Saquon Barkley get hurt?

Yes. Here is how his night went, according to USA Today and NFL.com:

1. First carry: Barkley broke off a 29-yard run but appeared to pull up at the end of it and ran out of bounds. He capped the opening drive with a touchdown.
2. First half: He played on and off, splitting time with Dameon Pierce and spending time in the sideline medical tent.
3. Halftime: He went to the locker room early but came back for the second half and opened it with a 12-yard run before walking gingerly to the sideline.
4. Third quarter: He returned for one more snap, a run wiped out by a penalty, and then left again.
5. Fourth quarter: The Eagles listed him as questionable to return with a back injury. He did not return.

Barkley explained afterward that he tweaked the hamstring on his opening carry and then hurt his back while compensating for it. “That’s how the body works. Sometimes, something is a little banged up and you overcompensate a little bit,” he said, per USA Today. “Just gotta get to rehab and just continue to work.”

Barkley’s stat line

NBC Sports and NFL.com list the seven carries. The Inquirer’s live coverage described it as “nine carries,” which appears to count his total touches.

Is Saquon Barkley playing this week?

The team has not issued a formal status. Barkley told reporters he didn’t think either the hamstring or the back would keep him out of next week’s game, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. NFL.com, citing ESPN, reported he said his “hamstring came out great.”

He also sounded frustrated. “I just gotta find a way to get healthy,” he said, per USA Today. “It’s annoying, but that’s what I’m dealing with so far in the season.”

Coach Nick Sirianni said the team and medical staff felt Barkley was ready to play. “He’s tough as heck,” Sirianni said, per NFL.com. “He wanted to be out there for his teammates, probably had to slow him up.”

Until the Eagles release this week’s practice and injury reports, his availability is uncertain.

A depleted Eagles backfield

Philadelphia’s running back depth is thin. Pierce, who led the team with 14 carries, also left in the fourth quarter with an undisclosed injury, according to NBC Sports and the Inquirer. Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley are on injured reserve, and Elijah Mitchell was elevated from the practice squad for Monday’s game, per USA Today.

Other injuries made it worse. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is out after blood clots were discovered, and receivers DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) were inactive. Receiver Britain Covey (knee) and defensive tackle Moro Ojomo also left Monday’s game.

What’s next for the Eagles

The Eagles (2-5) visit the Washington Commanders (1-4-1) on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, according to the Inquirer.

FAQ