The Philadelphia Eagles were dealt a huge injury scare when star running back Saquon Barkley missed Monday's practice with a knee injury. Barkley's health was always going to be a concern this season after amassing 482 total touches between the 2024 regular season and playoffs, and his lack of participation to start the week had Eagles fans worried that the worst-case scenario was here.
Even though time is limited before the Thursday Night Football clash with the New York Giants, Barkley's health is trending in the right direction. NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported on Tuesday afternoon that Barkley returned to practice as a limited participant, marking an upgrade from the previous day's tag.
Saquon Barkley Upgraded to Limited After Missing Monday's Practice
The Eagles' offense has been under scrutiny throughout the campaign, and Barkley missing any time would've upped the heat tenfold. His return to practice doesn't mean he's out of the woods yet; however, it does look like Philadelphia's top weapon won't miss much time, if any at all.
Barkley's importance to the Eagles' outlook can't be understated, as the team clearly wouldn't have won Super Bowl 59 without him. Although he hasn't been as dominant as he was last year, the three-time Pro Bowl RB still has 267 rushing yards on 83 carries and 128 receiving yards on 17 catches in five games, which includes finding the end zone four times so far.
Still, Barkley must find another gear if the Eagles are going to win back-to-back Lombardi Trophies. The 28-year-old veteran still hasn't recorded 100 scrimmage yards in a game this season in 13 of his 16 appearances last season, which included achieving the feat in each of his first four games donning a Philly jersey.
Hopefully, a matchup against the team he began his NFL career with will start a potential turnaround. Barkley spent the first six seasons of his career with the Giants before moving to the City of Brotherly Love, which was clearly his best career decision. He also showed New York exactly what it's missing out on by racking up 176 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in last season's 28-3 Week 7 win.
The Giants are allowing the seventh-most rushing yards per game (140.0) in 2025, so it's safe to say the door is open for Barkley to run right through it. The only question is whether or not he'll be healthy enough to do so come Thursday night.