Saquon Barkley is expected to return to practice today, Thursday, and it’s looking like he’ll be suiting up for the Philadelphia Eagles’ Monday Night Football clash against the Cowboys. This is massive, because let’s be real, the 2026 season for Philly has been a dumpster fire. After just six weeks, everything has gone horribly wrong. Their starting quarterback Jalen Hurts and lineman Lane Johnson aren’t even playing, though they did get DeVonta Smith back last week. Now, getting Barkley back, even if it’s just for practice, is the first real glimmer of hope they’ve had.
This Season Has Been a Trainwreck So Far
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Eagles are sitting at a dismal 2-4. That’s a tough spot to be in, especially for a team with playoff aspirations. A huge part of their struggles has been the running game, which has been described as “horrible all year.” And honestly, you can point a big finger at Barkley’s injury issues for that. The guy has been snake-bitten. He’s only played two full games, missed two others entirely, and then was pulled super early from two more because of injuries. His latest setback, a hamstring issue, sidelined him for Week 5 and Week 6. You can’t get any rhythm when your star running back is in and out like that. That’s why NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reporting that Barkley is “in line to play Monday against the Cowboys” is such a big deal. The team needed him back on the field, badly.
The Division Is Wide Open and Barkley Can Turn the Tide
Even at 2-4, the Eagles aren’t completely dead in the water, which is wild to say. The NFC East is apparently so bad that they are still somehow “in play for the division.” A win over Dallas would be an absolutely huge first step for this Tanner McKee-led team, especially as they chase a playoff spot. Getting Barkley back is more than just a body; it’s a “massive boost” for an offense that has clearly struggled without him. His presence changes everything, opening up plays for McKee and taking pressure off the passing game. He’s not confirmed to be playing yet, but the expectation that he’ll practice is a very good sign for the team.
The Eagles face their NFC East rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, on Monday Night Football. This game isn’t just another matchup; it’s a pivotal moment for a team trying to salvage a season that’s been spiraling. With Barkley expected to practice and potentially play, all eyes will be on him to see if he can ignite that “horrible” running game and give Philly a much-needed push. Can he deliver the spark they desperately need to get back in the division race? We’ll find out Monday night.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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