Saquon Barkley Injures Back in Return Game
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley sustained a back injury in his first game back from a hamstring issue, contributing to the team's loss.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley experienced a new injury during his return game, sustaining a back issue that contributed to the team's 38-21 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football. The team announced in the fourth quarter that Barkley was questionable to return due to the back injury.
Barkley told reporters after the game that he first felt a tweak in his hamstring on his initial run of the game, a 29-yard play. He indicated that the back injury occurred as he attempted to play through the hamstring discomfort. "I don’t get it. I just have to find a way to get healthy," Barkley said. "It’s annoying. That’s what I'm dealing with so far in the season and I just got to find a way to get healthy."
Despite the discomfort, Barkley finished the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run, his only score of the game. He concluded the contest with 62 rushing yards on seven carries.
The running back had been sidelined with a hamstring injury that he sustained during the Eagles' loss to the Rams on October 4, missing the subsequent two games. Barkley had expressed a desire to play in the Eagles' October 18 loss to the Panthers, stating he was testing his injury and hoping to trend in the right direction for the Monday night game.
During Monday's game, Barkley was seen in and out of the medical tent. ESPN reporter Lisa Salters noted that Barkley had been in and out of the medical tent since the Eagles' previous offensive possession, and the team was managing his hamstring issue. He alternated playing time with Dameon Pierce in the first half and played sporadically in the second half before the back injury was disclosed.