(Philadelphia) Saquon Barkley appears set to sit out the Philadelphia Eagles’ final regular-season game on Sunday, depriving him of his chance to break the NFL single-season rushing yards record held by Eric Dickerson.
Posted at 5:42 p.m.
Dan Gelston
Associated Press
Barkley would therefore finish the season with 2,005 rushing yards, just 101 shy of breaking Dickerson’s record of 2,105, set with the Los Angeles Rams in 1984.
The Eagles (13-3) have clinched the National Association East Division title, which leaves nothing at stake for the team in Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni declined Wednesday to officially announce which starters will or won’t play, saying of Barkley, “It’ll probably be someone who’ll be rested.”
Sirianni said he spoke with Barkley about his decision.
“I think it’s pretty obvious that this guy is special,” Sirianni said.
Sirianni and the Eagles decided it wasn’t worth risking injury to their most valuable player and only the ninth running back in NFL history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a season.
Whether they win, lose or tie the Giants, the Eagles will host the Green Bay Packers or Washington Commanders in a playoff game.
Sirianni said he planned to talk to everyone, including the players, coaches, general manager Howie Roseman and owner Jeffrey Lurie, before making his decision.
PHOTO MATT SLOCUM, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni
The Eagles had their bye week in Week 5 and came back from a 2-2 start to win 10 straight games and take control of the section.
“It wasn’t the easiest decision to make,” admitted Sirianni. We have great people here and we’ve had a lot of feedback from a lot of different people, including players. »
Sirianni will likely sit out most of the starters — notably quarterback Jalen Hurts, who was out last game due to the lingering effects of a concussion — to rest them before beginning what he hopes will be a journey to the Super Bowl.
“I came here to do something special, and obviously breaking the record is special,” Barkley said last week. But I want a banner up there. I think we all want that. »
“I had to make the decision that I believed was the best [pour l’équipe] », added Sirianni.
After rushing for 167 yards in last Sunday’s win, Barkley said he wanted the record, but would do what was best for the team, even if it meant sitting on the bench for the last game of the regular season.
“Resting is fine with me too, because I didn’t come here just to run for 2,000 yards or break a record,” Barkley said. I want to do something special as a team. »
