Eagles' Saquon Barkley ruled out vs. Rams with hamstring injury; Week 5 status uncertain
Version 2: Reuters reported that Eagles running back Tank Bigsby is headed to injured reserve and that Saquon Barkley's status for Week 5 is uncertain, a roster development not present in the earlier report.
In short
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley left Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter with a right hamstring injury and was ruled out for the rest of the game, the Associated Press reported, after Fox News said he was hurt early and taken to the medical tent. AP said Barkley was injured on a 6-yard run and had 174 rushing yards over the first three games. A day later, Reuters reported that Eagles running back Tank Bigsby is headed to injured reserve and that Barkley is uncertain for Week 5.
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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams after he left in the first quarter with a right hamstring injury, the Associated Press reported. Barkley was hurt on a 6-yard run, limped to the sideline holding his right hamstring and was accompanied by trainers to the medical tent, according to AP. Fox News reported that after a lengthy stay in the tent he walked to the locker room for further testing and did not appear to have a significant limp. [ 1 , 2 ]
AP reported the Eagles ruled Barkley out late in the second quarter while leading the Rams 13-3. Fox News said the team initially listed him as questionable to return and updated his status after halftime. Barkley had 174 rushing yards over the first three games of the season, AP reported. [ 1 , 2 ]
Fox News reported that OutKick medical expert Dr. David Chao, the former head physician for the San Diego Chargers, blamed wet field conditions for the strain. Chao said wet fields typically protect players from knee injuries because they are slippery, preventing cleats from locking in the turf, but are more prone to soft tissue injuries such as hamstring strains. AP did not mention field conditions as a factor. [ 1 ]
The injury was another setback for an Eagles team that AP reported played Sunday without six starters. Offensive lineman Lane Johnson was ruled out late for personal reasons, and the Eagles had already ruled out wide receiver DeVonta Smith with a hamstring injury and linebacker Zack Baun, who has a concussion. Tight end Dallas Goedert, left guard Landon Dickerson and safety Marcus Epps also sat out with injuries, according to AP. [ 2 ]
In a headline published the following evening, Reuters reported that Eagles running back Tank Bigsby is headed to injured reserve and that Barkley is uncertain for Week 5. The document carried no article text or summary. No document reported a diagnosis, a grade of the strain or an expected absence for Barkley. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
Barkley's absence adds to a run of injuries for Philadelphia: AP reported the Eagles played Sunday without six starters. Reuters reported the next day that Tank Bigsby is bound for injured reserve and that Barkley's status for Week 5 is uncertain, suggesting the team is preparing for possible backfield depth problems. The documents do not give a diagnosis or an expected absence for Barkley.
Key facts
- Eagles running back Saquon Barkley left Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter with a right hamstring injury and was ruled out for the rest of the game. [ 1 , 2 ]
- AP reported Barkley was injured on a 6-yard run, limped to the sideline holding his right hamstring and was accompanied by trainers to the medical tent. [ 2 ]
- Barkley was examined in the tent and then walked to the locker room, and Fox News reported he did not appear to have a significant limp. [ 1 , 2 ]
- AP reported the Eagles ruled Barkley out late in the second quarter while leading the Rams 13-3. [ 2 ]
- Barkley had 174 rushing yards over the first three games of the season, according to AP. [ 2 ]
- AP reported the Eagles played Sunday without six starters, including wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring), linebacker Zack Baun (concussion), tight end Dallas Goedert, left guard Landon Dickerson and safety Marcus Epps; offensive lineman Lane Johnson was ruled out late for personal reasons. [ 2 ]
- Fox News reported that OutKick medical expert Dr. David Chao, a former San Diego Chargers head physician, blamed wet field conditions for the strain, saying slippery fields are more prone to soft tissue injuries. [ 1 ]
- Reuters reported that Eagles running back Tank Bigsby is headed to injured reserve and that Barkley is uncertain for Week 5. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether wet field conditions contributed to Barkley's hamstring injury. Only Fox News raises this, citing OutKick medical expert Dr. David Chao; AP does not mention field conditions as a factor.
- Exactly when the Eagles ruled Barkley out. AP says he was ruled out late in the second quarter, while Fox News says the Eagles first listed him as questionable to return and updated his status after halftime.
- How severe the injury is and how long Barkley might be sidelined. No document reports a diagnosis, a grade of the strain or an expected absence; Reuters only says his status for Week 5 is uncertain.
- The details behind Tank Bigsby's move to injured reserve. This appears only in the Reuters headline, which carries no article text or summary.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Fox News publishes its report on Barkley's hamstring injury against the Rams, including the claim from medical expert Dr. David Chao about wet field conditions. [ 1 ]
- AP reports Barkley was ruled out for the rest of the game and adds that the Eagles were missing six starters. [ 2 ]
- Reuters reports that Eagles running back Tank Bigsby is headed to injured reserve and that Barkley is uncertain for Week 5. [ 3 ]