Barkley Scores in Limited Return as Eagles Fall to Cowboys

Saquon Barkley returned to the field for the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, but his performance was cut short by a back problem that forced him off the game in the third quarter. The Eagles lost to the Dallas Cowboys 38-21 in a game where Barkley played a total of nine offensive snaps. Despite the limited workload, he touched the ball on every single snap, a feat that has not happened to an NFL starter in 20 seasons.

Barkley finished the game with seven carries for 62 yards and a touchdown, along with two receptions for nine yards. He scored on an eight-yard run during Philadelphia’s first offensive possession. Immediately after the score, he left the field to use an exercise bike on the sideline. He told reporters later that his back tweaked during a 29-yard run in the first quarter and that the pain worsened as the game went on.

The Eagles had listed Barkley as questionable before kickoff because of a hamstring injury that kept him out for the two weeks prior. Coach Nick Sirianni said the team wanted to prioritize player health but believed the doctors and trainers cleared Barkley to play. Sirianni noted that Barkley wanted to play every snap but that the staff had to keep a close eye on him. The head coach described Barkley as tough as heck and said the player would likely have stayed on the field for every play if left to his own devices.

Barkley said his hamstring felt great upon his return. He did not expect the back issue to keep him out for future games, though he deferred to the training staff for the final decision. He said he tried to push his body to the limit because he loves the game, but admitted it was frustrating when his body did not respond the way he wanted. He spent time in the medical tent and stretched with trainers on the bench during the game.

The Eagles are dealing with significant injury issues at the running back position. Will Shipley, Tank Bigsby, and Carson Steele are all on injured reserve with foot, abdomen, and shoulder problems respectively. Dameon Pierce also left the game in the fourth quarter with an undisclosed injury. That left Elijah Mitchell, who was brought up from the practice squad for the game, to handle the remaining running duties.