Saquon Barkley admits his body is holding him back

After battling a hamstring injury for several games, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley sustained a back injury in the opening play of Week 7 against the Cowboys. Despite being able to play 10 snaps that day, Barkley insisted he was committed to participating in the Sunday night matchup against the Commanders, even if he wasn't fully recovered.

His performance was impressive, as he took direct snaps and showcased his speed by rushing for three yards on his first score of the game. Post-touchdown, Barkley was visibly agitated, stretching and moving non-stop, making it evident that he couldn't relax. He briefly rested during the first quarter but was back in action in the second quarter and even participated in the halftime clock-killing drill.

Prior to the game, Barkley was already on a tight schedule and managed to contribute 22 snaps, accumulating 13 carries for 30 yards and a touchdown. Following the loss, the RB admitted that while his mental state was satisfactory, his physical condition was not at its best due to the lingering hamstring and back issues. He expressed his frustration, stating, "I'm just frustrated because my mind is there, but with the hammie and the back, my body isn't right now."

The Eagles have made it clear they are not moving the running back before the trade deadline on November 10th. In light of this and his current situation, the team should consider benching Barkley temporarily to allow his body adequate time to heal, rather than risking further injury in a season that isn't showing any improvement.