Saquon Barkley is chasing history. The Eagles running back needs 101 yards to break Eric Dickerson’s NFL single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards set in 1984. With no playoff scenarios on the line, will the Eagles let Barkley try to break the record?
Nick Sirianni Has Not Decided If Saquon Barkley Will Play
Nick Sirianni discusses his decision to play or rest Saquon and the starters on Sunday.
pic.twitter.com/GvRjFJqCGL https://t.co/bUAbXuHn65
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) December 31, 2024
On Tuesday, Sirianni spoke about Barkley’s availability for Week 18 during his weekly interview with 94WIP radio. At this moment, Sirianni is undecided if Barkley will play. However, Sirianni will not make this decision alone, as he plans to speak with multiple parties, including owner Jeffrey Lurie.
“I’ll talk to our staff, I’ll talk to the players, I’ll talk to [general manager] Howie [Roseman], I’ll talk to Mr. Lurie,” Sirianni said. “I’ll talk to everybody to try and make sure I’m making the best decision for the football team.”
The Eagles are locked into the NFC’s No. 2 seed. By winning the NFC East, Philadelphia will have home-field advantage through the Divisional round.
Without a bye, the Eagles will likely use Week 18 as a de facto bye week to rest several key starters.
"I'd be floored if [Saquon Barkley] played again until the playoffs."@AdamSchefter says the Eagles pulling Saquon immediately after eclipsing 2,000 rushing yards "speaks volumes" about whether he plays in Week 18 ✍️ pic.twitter.com/ax7O0jqNaw
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 30, 2024
Saquon Barkley Eclipses 2,000 Yards
The play that made history for Saquon Barkley. pic.twitter.com/oXpP87vXm0
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 29, 2024
In Week 17, Barkley became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season.
Barkley rushed for 167 yards on 31 carries in Philadelphia’s 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
While the Eagles’ players are pulling for Barkley to break the record, Dickerson won’t be rooting for it to happen.
“I don’t think he’ll break it. But if he breaks it, he breaks it,” Dickerson told the LA Times. “Do I want him to break it? Absolutely not. I don’t pull no punches on that. But I’m not whining about it.”
The Eagles host the Giants (3-13) on Jan. 5 at 1 p.m. ET.
| Player | Rushing Yards |
|---|---|
| Eric Dickerson (1984) | 2,105 |
| Adrian Peterson (2012) | 2,097 |
| Jamal Lewis (2003) | 2,066 |
| Barry Sanders (1997) | 2,053 |
| Derrick Henry (2020) | 2,027 |
| Terrell Davis (1998) | 2,008 |
| Chris Johnson (2009) | 2,006 |
| Saquon Barkley (2024) | 2,005 |
| O.J. Simpson (1973) | 2,003 |
