The Eagles’ offense has been searching for a cleaner rhythm through two weeks, and the run game has been at the center of it. Now Philadelphia appears to have dodged a bigger problem with Saquon Barkley.
Barkley, who left Week 2 with a stinger and barely saw the field after getting hurt on the opening drive, is expected to play Monday night against the Bears, according to Jeff McLane of The Inquirer.
"Saquon Barkley (stinger) is out here at practice suited up," McLane reports. "We'll see how much the Eagles RB participates when the injury report is released later today. But I was told he expects to play Monday vs. the Bears."
That’s a major development for a team that was already dealing with a shaky ground game before Barkley’s injury added another layer of concern. He was questionable for Week 3, but McLane’s report suggests he’s moving in the right direction.
If Barkley does end up being cleared, the Eagles should get a much-needed lift against a Bears defense that has struggled against the run. Barkley has only 92 rushing yards on 19 carries this season, with two first downs and no touchdowns, so this matchup offers a chance to get him and the offense rolling.
If anything changes and Barkley can’t go, Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley would handle the bulk of the carries, with Dameon Pierce a possible elevation from the practice squad.
Philadelphia is 2-0, but it has done that without a fully humming offense. Getting Barkley back would give the Eagles a better shot at taking some pressure off Jalen Hurts and finding a more balanced attack in Chicago. The Bears enter the game at 1-1, and they may be without Caleb Williams and backup quarterback Tyson Bagent.
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