Barkley Active for Eagles Monday Night Game

Running back Saquon Barkley is active for the Philadelphia Eagles in Monday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The team confirmed his return to the lineup after he practiced fully on Saturday. Barkley had been listed as questionable with a hamstring injury heading into the contest.

The Eagles are missing two key offensive weapons for the matchup. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the remainder of the season after doctors found blood clots in his lungs. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith is also out due to a hamstring issue. With both players sidelined, Barkley’s presence on the field offers the offense a new dynamic.

Barkley’s season has been disrupted by multiple injuries. He suffered a stinger during the Week 2 game against the Tennessee Titans and pulled a hamstring in the first quarter of the Week 4 contest against the Los Angeles Rams. This week, he returned to practice as a limited participant on Thursday and Friday before joining full sessions on Saturday.

Statistical records show a sharp contrast between Barkley’s production and that of his teammates. Barkley has rushed for 182 yards on 36 carries this season, averaging 5.1 yards per attempt. He has not yet recorded a touchdown in those four games. During half of his appearances, he played on fewer than 16 percent of offensive snaps.

Other Eagles running backs have managed 71 attempts for an average of 2.8 yards per rush. Last week against the Carolina Panthers, Dameon Pierce carried the ball 12 times for 35 yards and one score. The team’s offensive efficiency has declined, with the unit averaging fewer than 4.0 yards per play in three consecutive games. This streak marks the first time the Eagles have posted such numbers since 1999.

The Eagles are also out-gained by opponents by an average of 108.3 total yards per game, the worst mark in the NFL. The team holds a four-game winning streak at home against Dallas, a run tied for the second-longest in franchise history. They have also won seven of their last eight prime-time home games.