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Saquon Barkley Practices, Expects to Play as Eagles' Backfield Faces Depth Risk

Thursday’s practice and medical updates suggest Barkley will be available for Monday night but multiple backups did not participate which creates game-plan and roster uncertainty.

Overview

  • Saquon Barkley was listed as a limited participant on the Eagles’ Thursday injury report for a stinger and was seen practicing in pads, with reporters saying he expects to play on Monday night.
  • NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and other insiders reported that Barkley received good MRI results before Thursday’s practice, a development that reporters and team observers cited as the basis for his expected availability.
  • Both primary backups, Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley, were listed as did not participate on Thursday with Bigsby sidelined for an abdominal issue and Shipley listed with a foot problem.
  • Wide receiver DeVonta Smith did not participate on Thursday and was listed with a hamstring designation, adding short-term uncertainty to the offense beyond the running back room.
  • With the Eagles’ run game struggling through two games, the limited status of Barkley and the absence of backups increases the chance of practice-squad elevations and forces the coaching staff to adjust Monday’s game plan against the Bears.