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Saquon Barkley, the Philadelphia Eagles' running back, was active for the Monday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys despite hamstring concerns. He made an immediate impact, scoring a touchdown that ended the team's first-quarter scoring drought.
However, Barkley's night may have ended prematurely due to a new injury. According to Mike Garafolo, Barkley is questionable to return because of a back injury. Before leaving, he had recorded seven rushes for 62 yards and a touchdown, along with two receptions for nine yards. He played just one snap in the second half and has not been seen on the field since. Trainers were observed working on Barkley while he lay on the ground.
The back and hamstring are anatomically connected, so it is plausible that Barkley's back issue is related to his lingering hamstring problem. The Eagles are already facing scrutiny over their management of quarterback Jalen Hurts' blood clot situation. Given that, it would be prudent for the team to exercise extreme caution with Barkley.
With little left to play for this season, allowing an already compromised Barkley to continue in a game the Eagles are trailing would be unwise. If Barkley is indeed done for the night, Dameon Pierce will continue as the primary running back. Pierce has received the majority of carries against the Cowboys and has also scored a rushing touchdown.
Key Analysis
The Eagles' decision-making regarding player health is under the microscope. After the Hurts controversy, the team must prioritize caution with Barkley, especially in a game with minimal playoff implications. His back injury, potentially linked to his hamstring, raises concerns about his availability moving forward. Pierce's performance will be crucial if Barkley misses extended time.
Originally reported by yahoo.