Saquon Barkley heads to locker room on 2nd series

Barkley departed the team’s Week 4 loss to the Rams in the second quarter and did not return, with Ian Rapoport relaying that the team views him as “week-to-week,” for the time being. Rapoport added that the team does not view the injury as a long-term issue. Regardless, Barkley appears set to miss multiple games with the soft tissue injury, leaving the team paper thin at running back after backup Tank Bigsby inured a core muscle that requires surgery. Will Shipley is the only other back currently on the active roster, while Dameon Pierce, Carson Steele, and Jaydon Blue are with the team on the practice squad. Shipley warrants a waiver addition while managers in deeper leagues can consider taking an early flier on Blue.

Rapoport reports there are hopes that Bigsby will be back “in six weeks or shorter.” The 24-year-old back will be required to miss at least four games now that he’s headed for an IR stint. With Saquon Barkley (hamstring) also at risk of missing at least one game, third-string RB Will Shipley could be in line for a busy day in Week 5 against the Jaguars. Shipley rushed six times for 23 yards in Sunday’s loss to the Rams, but could be a sneaky option in PPR leagues given his pass-catching profile during his days at Clemson, when he caught 85 passes over three seasons. It also wouldn’t be surprising if Dameon Pierce or Jaydon Blue were promoted off the practice squad and saw early down touches while Shipley serves in more of a third-down role. There’s a lot to figure out here over the next few days.

Barkley went down early in Sunday’s loss to the Rams and did not return to the game. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said earlier on Monday that Barkley’s injury “does not seem to be overly serious,” but with the Eagles taking on the Jaguars in London next week, it wouldn’t be surprising if he missed at least one game. Backup Tank Bigsby led the Eagles with 55 rushing yards on 14 carries and could be a viable RB2 if Barkley is out.

Barkley was injured on the Eagles’ second series and officially ruled out midway through the second quarter. He had only two carries for eight yards before departing. It has been mostly Tank Bigsby since, though Will Shipley has received a smattering of handles. Already banged up this season, Barkley is probably in real danger of missing Week 5 against the Jaguars in London.

73 of Barkley’s 82 yards on the ground came before the half as the team was held to three consecutive three-and-outs after the break, capped off with an interception and turnover on downs on their five possessions to end the game. Offensive coordinator Sean Mannion’s offense remained predictable and uninventive on a night the Eagles held the football for just over 23 minutes while running only 47 offensive plays. Barkley also has exactly one reception in each of the team’s first three games of the season, effectively relegating him to a yardage-and-touchdown back in fantasy. It will be difficult for him to return value on his second-round draft capital on that profile. Consider Barkley an RB2 with a wider range of outcomes than we’ve grown accustomed to when the Eagles host the Rams in Week 4.

Barkley briefly left the team’s Week 2 win with a stinger but would return in the second half to finish the game. He’ll be a back-end RB1 against the Bears through clear offensive struggles from the Eagles.

Barkley told reporters after practice that he is confident in his rehab program and plans to play in Week 3 against the Bears. His backups, RB Tank Bigsby (abdomen) and RB Will Shipley (foot), both resumed practicing today as limited participants. Expect Barkley to handle his normal workload in what should be a run-heavy game plan.

Per McLane, Barkley is suited up and present at Thursday’s practice. This puts him on track to face the Bears on Monday Night Football. Barkley underwent an MRI earlier this week. Apparently, the results were good. The Eagles’ No. 1 running back should be good to go, although he may end up logging a limited session to begin the week, as a precaution.

"(We) will know more in the future” were Barkley’s words after he finished the day with four carries for nine yards and an 11-yard reception. That’s because Barkley did indeed “finish the day,” but he spent over two quarters on the sideline before barely touching the ball in the second half. The fact he returned at all suggests it’s not an overly serious issue, but it could end up being diagnosed as a neck ailment, which is always a delicate situation. Tank Bigsby is shaping up as a priority waivers add in the 60-70 percent of leagues where he is not currently rostered. We will hopefully update Barkley’s status on Monday.

Barkley seemed like he was dying to get back into the game in the second quarter, but he couldn’t get comfortable. That evidently changed at halftime. We will undoubtedly see more Tank Bigsby than usual in quarters three and four, but Barkley’s return is the best possible news after he was roughed up on the Eagles’ opening drive.