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Saquon ‘needs things perfectly set up for him’

Saquon Barkley

PHI Running Back #26

Player Stats

An NFL coordinator told ESPN Saquon Barkley “tends to need things perfectly set up for him.”

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler spoke with NFL coaches and front office officials about the league’s best running backs. Barkley ranked third behind Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs. “My only criticism is that he doesn’t always produce when things aren’t completely clean,” an NFL coordinator said of Barkley, adding that Barkley should be treated as a three-down back. “That’s dating back to the Giants. Tends to need things perfectly set up for him.” This could explain why Barkley had a disappointing 2025 campaign in an Eagles offense that struggled to move the ball for much of the season. Barkley, who is widely expected to have a bigger role in the Philadelphia passing offense in 2026, last season ranked 45th out of 60 qualifying backs in yards after contact per rush, alongside Woody Marks and Breece Hall. Tank Bigsby, Barkley’s backfield mate, led the NFL in yards after contact per attempt.

Source: ESPN.com

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Saquon Barkley

PHI Running Back #26

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Saquon Barkley (back) is questionable to return in Week 7 against the Cowboys.

Things seemed to be going well for the veteran back in his first game since injuring his hamstring in Week 4 until the second quarter. Barkley was in and out of the lineup through that second frame before being seen on the sideline getting his hip worked on by the training staff, with what was later deemed a back issue. He continued to play through discomfort into the fourth quarter before the team declared him questionable to return with a new injury than the one that cost him two games. Barkley looked spry during his time on the field, gaining 62 yards and a touchdown on seven carries while adding nine yards on two receptions prior to departing. Fantasy managers will want to monitor his status in the coming days. Dameon Pierce would be in line to once again operate as a borderline workhorse, should Barkley’s injury prove significant, considering the lack of depth in the backfield.
Saquon Barkley

PHI Running Back #26

Saquon Barkley (hamstring) is active for Week 7 against the Cowboys.

Barkley returns from a two-game absence, which could not have come at a better time for a team missing its starting quarterback and top two wide receivers. The divisional tilt against the Cowboys is a game of great importance to each team as they look up at the division-leading Giants as we approach the half way point in the regular season. Although Barkley could see his touches monitored in his first game in three weeks, fantasy gamers that waited him out through the weekend are likely forced to ride with the veteran for lack of other options. Inactive for the Eagles are OLB Nolan Smith, WR DeVonta Smith, WR Dontayvion Wicks, QB Cole Payton, DB Michael Carter II, and OL Jake Majors.
Saquon Barkley

PHI Running Back #26

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports Saquon Barkley (hamstring) is “trending toward playing” in Week 7 against the Cowboys.

Garafolo pointed out that Barkley isn’t a guarantee to play on Monday, but said “everything is looking good” for Barkley to make his return. Barkley was updated to a full participant in practice on Saturday but still carries a questionable tag into Monday night’s game against the Cowboys. While it’s always good to have a backup plan in case Barkley can’t go, we would be surprised if he doesn’t suit up, given his practice status all week and this latest report from Garafolo.
Saquon Barkley

PHI Running Back #26

Saquon Barkley (hamstring) is questionable for Week 7 against the Cowboys.

Although getting in a full practice Saturday, the Eagles head into Monday’s game against the Cowboys with Barkley listed as questionable following a two-game absence. Fantasy managers have a decision considering the Eagles play in Week 7’s final game on Monday Night Football, with no clear fall back options should he be unable to play. It would seem prudent to make alternate plans at the position.
Saquon Barkley

PHI Running Back #26

Saquon Barkley (hamstring) was limited on Friday.

We had really hoped to see Barkley practice in full today. He still has a chance to take the field when the Eagles face the Cowboys in Week 7’s Monday Night Football game, but he is inching toward a questionable designation right now. Upgrading to full tomorrow would increase his odds of playing.
Saquon Barkley

PHI Running Back #26

Saquon Barkley (hamstring) resumed practicing on Thursday.

Barkley has been sidelined since straining his hamstring in the Eagles’ Week 4 loss to the division-rival Giants. He is now on track to make his triumphant return against the division-rival Cowboys in Week 7’s Monday Night Football game. The Eagles threw the ball at an 84 percent rate in neutral situations with Tanner McKee at the helm last week. Barkley’s expected return will allow them to run the ball more often, though they will likely remain a pass-first offense. Although Barkley’s rushing workload may decrease, his passing game involvement could get a serious boost, benefiting him in the box score. Barkley was officially limited today.
Saquon Barkley

PHI Running Back #26

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports Saquon Barkley (hamstring) is expected to return to practice today and “is in line to play Monday against the Cowboys.”

Barkley will unfortunately return to a team without Jalen Hurts, but the Eagles’ offense is otherwise getting healthier ahead of a must-win matchup with the Cowboys. Barkley has been out since Week 4 because of the hamstring issue. Even in his first game back, we would expect Barkley to get the lion’s share of the backfield touches against a Dallas defense that is giving up the 10th-most fantasy points to running backs. Barkley would be, at worst, an RB2 for his Week 7 return.
Saquon Barkley

PHI Running Back #26

The Athletic’s Zach Berman believes trading Saquon Barkley “could be a tougher debate” for the Eagles.

GM Howie Roseman has seen some quick turnarounds and loves to deal. Should the Eagles continue to spiral, they will certainly be willing to trade players like CB Riq Woolen and TE Dallas Goedert on expiring contracts. But Berman frames it as a real question on “aging stars who might be part of their 2027 plans” like Barkley and Zack Baun. Barkley, still sidelined with a hamstring injury, could be a home-run swing for some team as the trade deadline nears. ESPN’s Ben Solak suggested a trade to the Texans in his Tuesday column, also adding the Seahawks, Packers and Vikings as potential fits.
Saquon Barkley

PHI Running Back #26

Eagles ruled out RB Saquon Barkley (hamstring) for Week 6 against the Panthers.

It was pretty clear that this was where things were headed when Barkley was unable to practice on Wednesday and Thursday. We do not yet know Barkley’s official Friday practice participation level, but he was not seen practicing during the portion of practice open to the media. Dameon Pierce, Carson Steele and practice squad player Jaydon Blue will likely split touches this week.
Saquon Barkley

PHI Running Back #26

Saquon Barkley (hamstring) did not practice on Thursday.

Barkley is firmly on the wrong side of questionable for his team’s Week 6 game against the Panthers, potentially leaving Dameon Pierce, Carson Steele and practice squad player Jaydon Blue to split touches. Hopefully, reports clarify whether Pierce would handle a sizable workload as the de facto starter.

Rotoworld

Micah Parsons

GB Defensive End #1
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Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said “there’s a chance” Micah Parsons (knee) practices next week.

When asked about Parsons’ chances of practicing next week, LaFleur said, “I sure hope so.” He followed that up with, “I’m saying there’s a chance.” Parsons opened the season on the PUP list after an ACL tear late last season. The Packers have a Thursday game for Week 8, leading to a mini-bye where Parsons’ door to practice is at least cracked open.
- Aditya Fuldeore

Injury

Source: Matt Schneidman

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Matthew Golden

GB Wide Receiver #0
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Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said the team is “still working through it” when asked if WR Matthew Golden (shoulder/foot) will play Week 8 against the Panthers.

ESPN’s Rob Demovsky relayed LaFleur’s noncommittal response to questions on Golden’s status. LaFleur said the team hopes Golden plays, but the 23-year-old has been an estimated DNP for the first two practices of the week due to shoulder and foot injuries. With the Packers playing on a short week against the Panthers, Golden’s status will likely rely on the final practice report before a Week 8 Thursday showdown against Carolina.
- Aditya Fuldeore

Injury

Source: Rob Demovsky

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Emari Demercado

DAL Running Back #31
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Cowboys waived Emari Demercado.

It’s not the first time they’ve done so this season, so we’re not exactly sure that Demercado is done here. However he was a healthy scratch last night and the Cowboys are looking at activating some players off IR, so it’s possible if Demercado stays it’ll be as part of the practice squad.
- Rivers McCown

Transaction

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Zay Jones

ARI Wide Receiver #18
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Cardinals signed Zay Jones.

He was deemed the best of a huge tryout with Ronnie Bell, Xavier Guillory, Jack Plummer and James Proche. Jones will work as a depth piece in Arizona, and for all you know that hasn’t always been the case.
- Rivers McCown

Transaction

Source: Aaron Wilson

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DeForest Buckner

SF Defensive Tackle #99
Player Stats

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49ers acquired DeForest Buckner from the Colts for a 2027 fourth-round pick.

Buckner exits the Colts the same day Quenton Nelson does. It’s a coup for a 49ers defense that has lacked some oomph in one-on-one situations on the defensive line. Buckner, who was with the 49ers early in his career before being traded to the Colts for a first-round pick, will run it back with his original team. The Colts simply weren’t in a position to ask much for the 32-year-old, as they were capped at receiving only a fifth-round compensatory pick for him due to his age. The 49ers are generating a pretty nice playoff-ready defense assuming (as is always the question in San Francisco) it can there healthy.
- Rivers McCown

Transaction

Source: Tom Pelissero
Indianapolis Colts
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Jaxson Dart

NYG Quarterback #6
Player Stats

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Giants GM Joe Schoen, asked about the future of the team’s quarterback position said: “To have two young guys with Jaxson and J.J., both talented players, it’s a good position to be in.”

In other words, it wasn’t exactly an endorsement that Jaxson Dart is the franchise quarterback. Dart, out for the year with a meniscus repair, will enter the third year of his rookie contract as the likely favorite to start assuming Nine hasn’t just blossomed into a great quarterback overnight. But it sounds like the Giants are at least open to the idea that McCarthy could alter the calculus here.
- Rivers McCown

Source: Ralph Vacchiano
J.J. McCarthy
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Lamar Jackson

BAL Quarterback #8
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NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports he expects Lamar Jackson (ankle) to play in Baltimore’s Week 8 game against Buffalo.

It’s Tuesday, so we’re only 10 more Lamar updates from getting to the weekend. Rapoport believes according to people he’s spoken with that Jackson will play, and he is “believed to be as close to 100 percent as he has been.” Rapoport also noted that the Ravens weren’t “shocked” that Jackson didn’t play in Week 7, but with a Sunday and a Thursday coming up, wanted him ready for Week 8 and Week 9 badly.
- Rivers McCown

Injury

Source: Ian Rapoport

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Matthew Golden

GB Wide Receiver #0
Player Stats

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Matthew Golden (shoulder/foot) did not practice on Tuesday.

This does not have us optimistic that Golden will play on Thursday night. If he’s sidelined, Savion Williams will be a candidate for more work on offense and perhaps a worthwhile FLEX streamer, while Tucker Kraft will likely ascend to the No. 2 role.
- Rivers McCown

Injury

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Dont'e Thornton

LV Wide Receiver #10
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Raiders activated WR Dont’e Thornton (hamstring) from injured reserve.

It was his last possible day to be reinstated in his 21-day window. The fact that Klint Kubiak spent much of Thornton’s 21-day window talking about how he had to go show us something makes us think Thornton will probably just be a depth piece for the time being. The Raiders waived Jonah Laulu to make room for Thornton.
- Rivers McCown

Transaction
Jonah Laulu
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Cam Taylor-Britt

IND Cornerback #29
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Colts placed Cam Taylor-Britt (undisclosed) on injured reserve.

He’ll miss at least the next four games. Taylor-Britt has played just 91 snaps for the Colts this year after coming over as a Lou Anarumo reclamation project. He has one sack, 13 tackles, and two passes defensed so far this year.
- Rivers McCown

Transaction

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