Eagles running back Saquon Barkley faced a setback in his pursuit of the NFL season rushing record due to a minor injury.
After rushing for over 100 yards in his last four games, Barkley ran for 65 yards on 19 carries in Philadelphia’s 27-13 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. This was a 3.4-yard average, which was his second-lowest total of the season.
Despite this, Barkley remains the NFL rushing leader with 1,688 yards, but he lost some ground in his chase for the record held by Eric Dickerson, who set the mark at 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984.
To break Dickerson’s record, Barkley needs 418 yards over the final three games, averaging just over 139 yards per game. The 27-year-old Barkley has achieved that total five times this season.
In the first quarter, Barkley was hit in the right knee by Pittsburgh’s Minkah Fitzpatrick, then landed on his right shoulder. He was briefly checked and returned to the sideline holding his helmet.
Barkley ran two more times for 3 yards after the hit, then didn’t get another carry until after halftime.
He didn’t specify what caused him trouble but said his right knee was fine and the injury wasn’t caused by the hit from Fitzpatrick.
“Nothing crazy. Little minor,” Barkley said. “Get ready for next week.”
The Eagles (12-2) can clinch the NFC East with a win next Sunday at Washington. Their last two games are at home, against Dallas and the New York Giants.
Barkley left the New York Giants in the offseason and signed a three-year contract worth $26 million guaranteed to join the Eagles, who made him the highest-paid running back in franchise history.
