The Philadelphia Eagles haven’t had the services of running back Saquon Barkley for the last two games as he deals with a hamstring injury, but there is some optimism that his absence might end this week.
The Eagles made a few roster moves on Tuesday that included the team waiving running back Jaydon Blue from the 53-man roster.
While Philly did add Elijah Mitchell to the practice squad, the team now has just two running backs on its active roster.
The Athletic’s Zach Berman believes this is a potentially good sign that the Eagles anticipate Barkley’s return in Week 7.
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“Based purely on numbers, I would interpret this as a positive development for Saquon Barkley’s status,” Berman wrote.
“After these transactions, the Eagles have 2 RBs on the active roster (Saquon Barkley, Dameon Pierce) and 1 RB on the practice squad (Elijah Mitchell),” he went on to add. “They go with 3 for gameday. Unless they add someone else to the practice squad or active roster this week, it’s a good sign for Barkley.
There is still a lot of time left in the week for the Eagles to add someone else, but for now Eagles fans and fantasy football owners alike should be cautiously optimistic that Barkley’s return will come this week.
A much-needed lift
The Eagles sure could use a boost offensively.
Not only has Philly scored 20 points or less in each of its last three games, including just 31 points combined in the two contests without Barkley, they are also slated to be without quarterback Jalen Hurts for the rest of the season.
Hurts was ruled out for Week 6 with a superficial blood clot in his calf after he was cleated in the area back in Week 4, but it has now been discovered that Hurts might be out for the rest of the season after blood clots were found in his lungs.
MORE: Eagles’ gross Jalen Hurts blood clot negligence highlighted by NFL insider
Tanner McKee got the start in Hurts’ place, but he’s an obvious downgrade from the Eagles’ starter and it’s going to be tough sledding for Philly’s offense from here on out.
Knowing that, the Eagles are likely to lean on Barkley even more, both as a runner and pass-catcher, so he could have a ton on his plate the rest of the season.
And, who knows, if things continue to go south for Philly the rest of this season like everyone expects them to, Barkley could get traded before the Nov. 10 deadline.
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