Saquon Barkley questionable for MNF in Week 7

It was a horribly inefficient day for the Eagles’ superstar back, but there was not a whole lot he could do with the Giants understandably not respecting the “threat” presented by No. 3 Philly quarterback Joe Milton. Barkley at least saved face with his three-yard scoring plunge in the first quarter. Having his snaps and touches rationed for this injury-ruined and tanking team, Barkley will probably have a hard time getting back into the RB1 ranks when Philly comes off bye in Week 11 against the Steelers.

Barkley will again play through his hamstring and back injuries. Touchdowns have helped offset Barkley’s moderate yardage totals, and the offense will now be led by Joe Milton. Barkley’s role and talent keep him in the high-end RB2 tier, though an apex outcome is perhaps unlikely, given the state of the Eagles’ offense.

Barkley is again on track to play through his injuries on game day. The Eagles’ offensive centerpiece totaled 54 scrimmage yards, one catch and one touchdown in the Eagles’ Week 8 loss to the Commanders. He may have trouble solidifying a spot in the RB1 tier, given the state of the Eagles’ offense, but he remains a high-end RB2 at worst, based on talent and usage.

Barkley played through the pair of injuries last week, turning 13 carries into 30 yards and a score. While this could just be maintenance for a banged-up veteran, the Eagles are waving the white flag on 2026 by starting Joe Milton at quarterback. If they’re worried about making Barkley’s injuries worse, the team may simply shut him down for the year at some point. Elijah Mitchell is the next man up for Philly if Barkley doesn’t play in Week 9.

Speaking with the media early Monday morning, Barkley said he was informed that the team would not be trading him despite falling to 2-6 on the season after Sunday night’s loss to Washington. Barkley rushed 13 times for 30 yards and a touchdown in the loss while catching one pass for another 24 yards. The soon-to-be 30-year-old back could have decent trade value for the Eagles in what is shaping up to be a lost season, but it sounds like he’s in the team’s future plans heading into 2027. Barkley is playing through injuries and has just 56 carries for 274 yards and two touchdowns this season, and has caught seven passes for another 41 yards. Assuming he can get in another week of practice this week, he’ll be a fringe RB1/RB2 in Week 9 against the Giants.

Barkley showed clear limitations as he played through hamstring and back injuries, routinely spotted on the sideline riding the stationary bike and getting stretched out by trainers as he rotated with Elijah Mitchell. The Philadelphia offense remained largely ineffective as they gained only 268 yards of total offense, while Barkley’s longest carry of the game went for only five yards against a solid Washington run defense. Fantasy managers will want to consider their alternatives when the Eagles face the Giants in Week 9.

Though teams can change their minds in very short periods of time, Rapoport’s wording on this matter is rather definitive. Sitting at 2-5 with Jalen Hurts out for the year, it makes sense for the Eagles to be sellers at the trade deadline. Players including Dallas Goedert, Riq Woolen, and Hollywood Brown have also been the subject of trade rumors. All three are more likely than Barkley to land with new teams over the next week. Barring a change of heart from GM Howie Roseman, Barkley will continue to be the focal point of a failing offense for the remainder of the season.

Barkley gave a cryptic response when asked if he would play earlier in the day, ultimately ready to gut out multiple injuries as the Eagles continue to trudge forward in an injury-decimated season. The veteran back added that the injuries are both something he will need to manage throughout the game but that he feels as if he can play through them. That leaves fantasy managers in a sticky situation, likely forced to start Barkley if he’s on the roster. Barkley is a middling RB2 in a difficult matchup on the ground against the Commanders.

After being a DNP in each of the Eagles’ first two practices of the week, it’s far too early to be confident that Barkley will suit up on Sunday night against the Commanders. That said, his return to the field is still an encouraging sign for the Eagles, whose backfield is suddenly among the most banged up in the league. We will check back in when the Eagles announce Barkley’s Week 8 status, but it wouldn’t be surprising if this ends up being a game-time decision, which could prove frustrating for fantasy managers. We should know more on his availability in the next few hours.

This doesn’t look ideal. Barkley practiced all week leading up to his return, and at this point he doesn’t even have a limited session ahead of Sunday’s game with the Commanders. There’s probably not a zero percent chance that Barkley is playing, but at this point the best Barkley-reliant managers can likely hope for is a questionable tag on Friday. Elijah Mitchell and Jaydon Blue would be in line to form some sort of committee if Barkley can’t go.