Saquon Barkley (hammy) ruled out vs. Jaguars

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.

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.

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.

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.

Technically, a limited session is possible, but we expect to see Barkley listed as a non-participant since he skipped warmups. Barkley still has a chance to face the Panthers this week, but ideally, he would be out there right now, beginning his ramp-up period. Eagles RBs Dameon Pierce and Carson Steelers are on the active roster, while RB Jaydon Blue currently sits on the practice squad.

Sirianni was asked about both Barkley and DeVonta Smith, who is also dealing with a hamstring injury. Sirianni didn’t commit to either player practicing this week, but we’ll see how things look on Wednesday when the Eagles release their first injury report. Philly suddenly finds itself in desperate need of help at running back after Tank Bigsby (core) was placed on IR last week and Will Shipley (foot) was diagnosed with a partial tear in his plantar fascia that’s expected to sideline him for several weeks. If Barkley is unable to play in Week 6, Dameon Pierce and Jaydon Blue would be next in line to lead the Eagles’ banged up backfield.

Barkley will likely be listed as a non-participant on today’s official injury report. He is unlikely to play in Week 5 against the Jaguars. Aside from Barkley, the Eagles have RBs Will Shipley and Dameon Pierce on the active roster. Shipley will probably lead the backfield in touches this week, but it could be a messy workload split.

The Eagles will drop their official injury report later today, but this can be chalked up as a DNP for Barkley. He was already considered week-to-week after suffering a hamstring injury on Sunday, so today’s DNP doesn’t come as a surprise. He is a long-shot to play in Week 5. With Tank Bigsby on IR, Will Shipley will lead the backfield versus Jacksonville. He profiles as a low-end RB3.

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.