Not decided yet. Saquon Barkley suffered a stinger on the Eagles’ first offensive play at Tennessee on Sunday, returned briefly in the second half, then sat for good, and had an MRI on Monday. Philadelphia plays Monday night at Chicago, so its first injury report of the week comes out Thursday afternoon, and coach Nick Sirianni did not give an update Monday. Barkley told reporters he was all right. A stinger that does not linger usually clears in days, and the extra day before a Monday game helps, so the early read is that he has a chance to play, with his practice status Thursday and Friday the real tell.
| Injury | Stinger, neck and shoulder nerve, MRI Monday |
| Game | Eagles at Bears, Monday, September 28, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN |
| First injury report | Thursday, September 24 |
| If he sits | Tank Bigsby leads, Will Shipley on passing downs |
What Happened Sunday
Barkley was stuffed for no gain by Jeffery Simmons on his first carry, was slow to get up favoring his left arm, and spent several minutes in the medical tent before missing the rest of the first half. He came back for the first series of the third quarter with extra padding at the shoulder, left again after a few snaps, and finished with five touches for 20 yards on 12 snaps. Tank Bigsby handled the load, 13 carries for 33 yards and the 2 yard touchdown in the 24-20 win, with Will Shipley mixed in.
He Has Played Through This Before
Barkley dealt with a stinger last December, after a Week 15 win over the Raiders. He sat out the Tuesday walk through, practiced fully Wednesday and Thursday, and carried no injury designation for the next game against Washington. That is the path the Eagles are hoping for again, and it is why Thursday’s practice report matters most: a full or limited session today would line up with last year.
What Bigsby Means If Barkley Is Out or Limited
Bigsby was the clear next man Sunday and outproduced Shipley on nearly double the touches. If Barkley sits, Bigsby is the lead back against a Bears defense the Eagles should be able to run on; if Barkley plays but is not full strength, expect a closer split than usual. The Eagles are also without tight end Dallas Goedert, who sprained his MCL Sunday and is out indefinitely, and brought Zach Ertz back to the practice squad.
When You Will Know
Thursday’s report shows whether Barkley practices, Saturday’s report carries the game designation, and the final word comes with inactives 90 minutes before kickoff Monday. This page is updated at each step.
Related
Saquon Barkley stats · Week 3 waiver wire, including Bigsby · NFL injury report · Monday Night Football schedule