PHILADELPHIA — Saquon Barkley, the running back for the Eagles, encountered a setback in his pursuit of the NFL season rushing record following an incident that left him looking impaired due to an undisclosed injury.
In a recent game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Barkley, who had surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark in his previous four outings, managed to gain only 65 yards on 19 carries, averaging 3.4 yards per attempt. This performance marked his second-lowest rushing total of the season, despite the Eagles securing a 27-13 victory.
Currently, Barkley leads the NFL in rushing yards with a total of 1,688 yards. However, his chase for the all-time single-season record set by Eric Dickerson, who ran for 2,105 yards with the Los Angeles Rams in 1984, has become more challenging. To break that record, Barkley must accumulate 418 yards in the last three games, which averages out to just over 139 yards per game. He has surpassed this figure five times throughout the current season.
Difficulties arose during the first quarter of the game when Barkley was struck in the right knee by Minkah Fitzpatrick of the Steelers, followed by a fall that landed him on his right shoulder. After a brief examination, he returned to the sideline, momentarily without his helmet. Following the hit, he attempted two rushes for only three yards before he did not have any additional carries until after halftime.
Barkley did not specify the exact nature of his discomfort but did confirm that his right knee was fine and that the injury was not a result of Fitzpatrick’s hit. “Nothing crazy. Little minor,” he stated. “Get ready for next week.”
The Eagles, currently at a record of 12-2, have a chance to clinch the NFC East title with a victory next Sunday against Washington. Their remaining two games will be hosted at home, where they will compete against the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants.
This offseason, Barkley departed from the New York Giants to join the Eagles, signing a three-year contract that guarantees him $26 million, making him the highest-paid running back in the history of the franchise.
