The Eagles were already walking a tightrope on offense Sunday, and then the game got even thinner. Philadelphia came into its matchup with the Los Angeles Rams missing several key pieces, and that left Saquon Barkley carrying even more weight after last week’s loss to Chicago.
That plan took a hit in the first quarter. Barkley exited after appearing to suffer a hamstring injury on a six-yard run, favoring his right hamstring before heading to the locker room for further evaluation. He was first listed as questionable to return, but that window closed quickly.
Adam Schefter initially reported on X: “Saquon Barkley has a hamstring injury and is questionable to return today.” Barkley was later downgraded to out, leaving the Eagles without their starting running back for the rest of the afternoon.
Philadelphia was already shorthanded across the offense. DeVonta Smith was ruled out with a hamstring injury, while Dallas Goedert and Marquise Brown were inactive. Right tackle Lane Johnson also was unavailable for personal reasons, further stripping down the Eagles’ depth.
Barkley’s absence landed at a bad time for an offense that entered Week 4 looking for more life on the ground after a 27-7 loss to Chicago. The Eagles needed more stability from their run game, especially against a Rams defense missing Aaron Donald.
With Barkley done for the day, Philadelphia turned to Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley. Bigsby stepped in after the injury, and Shipley gave the Eagles another option in the backfield.
Barkley finished with two carries for eight yards, and the bigger concern now is what the hamstring issue means going forward beyond Week 4.
In Other News...
Rams Enter Eagles Test With A Sudden Special Teams Problem
The Rams head into their Week 4 matchup with the Eagles carrying the usual injury baggage, but the special teams picture changed in a hurry this week. Los Angeles put tight end Terrance Ferguson on injured reserve, waived punt returner Xavier Smith and promoted running back Dean Connors to the active roster, a set of moves that puts extra attention on how the Rams handle the kicking game going into a matchup that already has plenty of personnel questions on both sides.
Philadelphia is dealing with its own absences, including DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert, but the Rams immediate concern is more basic: who handles returns and how cleanly the operation holds together. Those decisions tend to matter most when the games get tight, and with another short-week style test looming against a banged-up opponent, Los Angeles suddenly has one more area to sort out before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Just Watched A Massive Eagles Threat Suddenly Leave The Game
Saquon Barkleys afternoon against the Rams changed in an instant in Week 4, when the Eagles star suffered a right hamstring injury on a non-contact run and headed to the sideline. Barkley was listed as questionable to return after leaving the field favoring his leg, and Philadelphia had to quickly reshuffle its backfield with Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley stepping in.
For the Rams, the timing mattered as much as the injury itself. Barkley is the kind of player who can force an offense to stay on schedule and stress a defense every snap, so his exit immediately altered how the Eagles had to approach the rest of the game. Any setback involving a threat of that caliber is the sort of development a defense notices right away, even before the full impact becomes clear. [Read more 🡒]
Puka Nacuas Return Still Leaves Rams With One Big Concern
Puka Nacua was back on the field for the Rams in Week 4 against the Eagles after sitting out two games because of a pre-hernia injury that involved hip and groin soreness, a reminder of how careful Los Angeles has been trying to be with one of its most important receivers. Sean McVay has already clarified that Nacua does not have a full hernia, and the teams approach has been to manage the issue rather than push it.
Nacuas return mattered because he had already led the Rams in receptions and receiving yards in Week 1, and he still found a way to contribute against Philadelphia. The bigger concern now is less about whether he can play through it in the short term and more about how the Rams balance his value on the field with the risk of the injury lingering over the rest of the season. [Read more 🡒]