Eagles RB Saquon Barkley sidelined by hamstring as trade talk builds
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The gist
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has missed practice with a hamstring injury as Philadelphia sits at 2-4.
His Week 7 status and a possible trade before the Nov.
Background
Saquon Barkley is the Philadelphia Eagles' star running back, sidelined this season by a hamstring injury. He has been fully active for only two of the team's five games, after 16 games played in each of the 2024 and 2025 seasons with 378 and 317 touches over those two years. With the Eagles at 2-4 and their season described as quickly imploding, trade scenarios have surfaced ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline, while the team also lost quarterback Jalen Hurts to injured reserve and saw offensive tackle Lane Johnson retire midseason.
How it unfolded
- Sep 28, 2026Barkley runs against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago.
- Oct 4, 2026Barkley suffers a hamstring injury on his first carry against the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter and takes just a 6.6% snap share.
- Oct 14, 2026Barkley is a non-participant in the Eagles' first practice of Week 6, after missing practice the whole lead-up to the Week 5 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
- Oct 15, 2026Head coach Nick Sirianni says he is hopeful Barkley and wide receiver DeVonta Smith would return from injury this week.
- Oct 18, 2026The Eagles lose 25-14 to the Panthers and fall to 2-4; Barkley's status for Week 7 is still up in the air. A trade now would trigger a $26 million dead-money charge in 2027 and avoid $16 million in 2027 pay owed to him.
- Oct 20, 2026The Eagles waive running back Jaydon Blue from the 53-man roster and add Elijah Mitchell to the practice squad, leaving two running backs on the active roster.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- The Athletic's Zach Berman said that based purely on numbers he interprets the roster moves as a positive development for Barkley's status, calling it a good sign.
- Analysts
- ESPN's Ben Solak raised a trade of Barkley to the Texans and named the Seahawks, Packers and Vikings as potential fits.
- Caution
- Reporting notes a trade would create a $26 million dead-money charge in 2027, and NBC Sports framed trading Barkley as potentially a tough debate for the Eagles.
Still unverified
Barkley is only "believed to have" a "realistic" chance to return in Week 7, and his Week 7 status is still described as up in the air. Trade scenarios involving the Seahawks, Vikings, Texans and Packers are raised as possibilities, not reported deals.