Eagles rule out Barkley and Smith for London game vs. Jaguars, release QB Andy Dalton
In short
The Philadelphia Eagles have ruled out running back Saquon Barkley and receiver DeVonta Smith, both with hamstring injuries, for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The team also released veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, the Associated Press and Reuters reported.
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The Philadelphia Eagles have ruled out running back Saquon Barkley and receiver DeVonta Smith for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London because of hamstring injuries, the Associated Press and Newsweek reported. Reuters also reported that Barkley was ruled out and that the team released quarterback Andy Dalton. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Barkley hurt his right hamstring early in last week's 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams and did not practice all week, according to AP. Newsweek said he left that game in the first quarter and did not return. AP reported that Smith also did not practice this week and will miss his second straight game. [ 1 , 3 ]
AP reported that quarterback Jalen Hurts was added to the injury report on Friday with a calf issue, though he was a full participant at practice. The team later released Dalton, which AP said leaves Tanner McKee and rookie Cole Payton as Hurts' backups. The Eagles were scheduled to land in London on Saturday morning. [ 1 ]
The team is also dealing with a reshuffled offensive line. Lane Johnson retired this week and center Cam Jurgens was traded to the Baltimore Ravens; AP said the Eagles received second- and fifth-round draft picks, and Newsweek said the trade came a day after Johnson retired. AP reported Johnson had been a late scratch for the Rams game for personal reasons. [ 1 , 3 ]
Barkley has rushed for 182 yards on 36 carries this season with no touchdowns, AP reported, and had two carries against the Rams after missing part of the Week 2 game against the Titans with a stinger in his left arm. Newsweek put his total at 190 scrimmage yards through four games. Newsweek said the Eagles placed Tank Bigsby on injured reserve on Wednesday and signed Dameon Pierce to join Will Shipley in the backfield. [ 1 , 3 ]
According to Newsweek, Hurts had 93 passing yards against the Rams without Smith, who still leads the team with 237 receiving yards. Tight end Dallas Goedert fully participated in Friday's practice after missing Week 4 with a knee issue. Newsweek said the Eagles also ruled out wide receiver Hollywood Brown, safety Marcus Epps, linebacker Jonathan Greenard and center Drew Kendall. The game starts at 9:30 a.m. ET on the NFL Network. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The Eagles go into the London game without two of their main offensive players, and their offensive line has been reshuffled after Lane Johnson's retirement and the trade of Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens, according to AP and Newsweek. Newsweek reported that Barkley's possible replacement, Tank Bigsby, is also hurt.
Key facts
- Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith were ruled out of Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London with hamstring injuries. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The Eagles released veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, leaving Tanner McKee and rookie Cole Payton as backups to Jalen Hurts. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Jalen Hurts was added to the injury report on Friday with a calf issue but was a full participant at practice, AP reported. [ 1 ]
- Barkley hurt his right hamstring early in last week's 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams and did not practice all week. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Smith will miss his second straight game. [ 1 ]
- Lane Johnson retired this week and Cam Jurgens was traded to the Baltimore Ravens; AP said the trade brought second- and fifth-round draft picks. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The game is at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and starts at 9:30 a.m. ET on the NFL Network, Newsweek reported. [ 1 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Eagles ruled out Saquon Barkley for Sunday's game against the Jaguars. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- DeVonta Smith was also ruled out with a hamstring injury. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The Eagles released quarterback Andy Dalton. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The game is being played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Barkley was injured in last week's 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Lane Johnson retired and Cam Jurgens was traded to the Baltimore Ravens. [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Jalen Hurts' calf issue and whether it affects his availability. Only AP reported it, saying he was added to the injury report Friday but was a full participant at practice.
- The draft picks received for Cam Jurgens. Only AP reported that the Ravens sent second- and fifth-round draft picks.
- When Barkley and Smith are expected to return. None of the documents gives a timeline for their return.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- AP reports Barkley and Smith ruled out of the London game and Dalton's release. [ 1 ]
- Reuters reports the Eagles released Dalton and ruled out Barkley. [ 2 ]
- Newsweek reports the ruling-out of Barkley and Smith and other absences. [ 3 ]
- Sunday's game against the Jaguars is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. ET on the NFL Network. [ 3 ]