Eagles' Saquon Barkley carries no injury designation for Commanders matchup
Barkley has no designation heading into Sunday night at Washington despite hamstring trouble, back tightness and limited practice time this week.
No designation despite a rough week
Saquon Barkley carries no injury designation into the Eagles' Sunday night game at the Commanders, even after sitting out practice Wednesday and Thursday and going limited Friday. Philadelphia is not listing him as questionable or doubtful, which clears him to play in Washington.
The hamstring injury traces back to Week 7 against the Cowboys. He managed through it then, and the team's read now is that he is good to go against Washington.
What went wrong in Week 7
Barkley entered that Monday night game against the Cowboys already dealing with the hamstring, then had his back lock up on him as the game went on. That cost him part of the second half.
Even with all that, he made the most of a short night. Nine snaps, the ball every single time he was on the field, 71 yards and a touchdown. Not a normal workload for him, but he did damage with what he got.
Barkley's own read on it
Asked Friday if he expects to play Sunday, Barkley did not hedge. "I would hope so; I believe I'll be able to," he said.
He framed it as a simple calculation for him: keep recovering, stay smart about it, but take the snaps when they're there. "I like playing football, so if I have an opportunity to play, I'm going to try my best to play."
The rest of the Eagles' injury picture
Barkley is not the only name on this injury report. If he needed a breather against Washington, the depth behind him is thin. Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley, Dameon Pierce and Carson Steele are all on injured reserve, which leaves Jaydon Blue and Elijah Mitchell as the other backfield options.
Philadelphia is also without its top two receivers again, DeVonta Smith with a hamstring and Dontayvion Wicks with an ankle, as the team tries to snap a five-game slide. Linebacker Jihaad Campbell, cornerback Jonathan Jones and returner Britain Covey have all been ruled out. Linebacker Nolan Smith does not carry a designation after missing last week with a concussion, the same clean bill of health Barkley is getting.
Facts per ESPN. Opinion is the taproom's.