Eagles' Saquon Barkley returns to practice; could play against Cowboys

Oct. 22 (UPI) — Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley returned to practice on Thursday for the first time since Oct. 2, ending his injury hiatus.

Barkley, who injured a hamstring during a 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 4 in Philadelphia, could be in line to return for a Monday Night Football matchup with the rival Dallas Cowboys.

“Anytime you have an opportunity to get someone like him back on the field, that’s huge,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni told reporters. “We’ll see where we are as the week progresses.

“But looking forward to seeing him out there today. We’ll see where we are at the end of it.”

Barkley totaled 182 yards off 36 carries over four appearances this season. He was injured on just his fourth offensive snap in Week 4 against the Rams.

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (R) sustained a hamstring injury in Week 4. File Photo by Mark Black/UPI

The Eagles averaged 109 rushing yards per game through the first four weeks of this season. They totaled 57 yards on the ground in their last two games without Barkley.

“I like the backs in the room we have,” Sirianni said. Obviously, we’ve been beat up there as the season’s went. I’m glad we’ve had the guys we’ve had to be able to step in and go. We’ll see where we are with Saquon, but anytime that’s a possibility, that’s huge.”

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) missed the last two weeks of practices and games due to a hamstring injury. File Photo by Laurence Kesterson/UPI

Dameon Pierce is the only other running back on the Eagles’ active roster. Elijah Mitchell is the Eagles’ practice squad running back. The Eagles signed Mitchell earlier this week. They also waived running backs Jaydon Blue and Carson Steele.

The Eagles will host the Cowboys in the NFC East divisional clash at 8:15 p.m. EDT Monday at Lincoln Financial Field. Barkley totaled 74 yards from scrimmage off 17 touches in his last matchup with the Cowboys — a 24-21 loss Nov 23 in Arlington, Texas.

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The Philadelphia Eagles rushing attack struggled over the last two weeks without injured running back Saquon Barkley. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI