The Philadelphia Eagles won the rematch against the New York Giants in a 38-20 blowout on Sunday, and Saquon Barkley got sweet revenge from the franchise that first drafted him, then undervalued him in contract negotiations.
Best yet for Barkley? He escaped without any serious injury after pulling up limp in the third quarter on a rush. The injury not only appears to be largely benign, but it gave Nick Sirianni and Kevin Patullo a chance to figure out their running back room behind Barkley.
And to boot, Barkley seemed "confident he will be able to play vs Green Bay despite a groin injury keeping him out for part of the game today," per 94WIP's Eliot Shorr-Parks.
Unfortunately, the same could not be said for Cam Skattebo. In one of the most gruesome injuries of the season, Skattebo broke his ankle and was carted off the field. Skattebo was taken to a local hospital.
“Feel absolutely terrible for the young man,” Daboll said postgame. It's possible Skattebo has played his last game in his rookie season.
Saquon Barkley Continues to be Major Difference-Maker for Eagles
In many ways, the Giants' fears of paying Barkley were realized with Skattebo's injury. Paying any running back big money is risky, even one who offers the pass-catching, and even at times pass-throwing, abilities Barkley possesses.
Still, 150 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown, 24 receiving yards, and a touchdown reception, in a truncated effort, is top-notch running back play that Big Blue had to witness firsthand from a division rival.
That Barkley seems to always make the Giants pay is one perk to having brought back the former Penn State Nittany Lions star to his true home state. But there's already championship proof that the three-year deal they gave Barkley, worth $37.75 million with $26 million in guaranteed money, was a great investment. We'll see if the two-year, $41.2 million contract extension that made him the highest-paid RB in history pays off too. It's off to a great start, but any sign of injury is cause for concern.
Especially on a day where the NFL lost one of the fastest rising running backs for what could be a long time on a freak play.