Eagles announce decision on Saquon Barkley for Week 18 vs. Giants

There will be no new single-season rushing record this year.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters on Wednesday that the team will “rest some guys” on Sunday against the Giants in preparation for the playoffs, including Saquon Barkley.

The #Eagles will rest Saquon Barkley and other starters on Sunday against the #Giants, Nick Sirianni tells reporters.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 1, 2025

Barkley ends the year with 2,005 rushing yards, 101 yards shy of Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record.

Sirianni says shutting down Barkley wasn’t an easy decision:

“It’s a very special record that’s been standing for a very long time by a great player. But you try to do what’s best for the team. When the bye was, how guys are feeling … Our goals are to have success and play good the next game we play.”

With the division and No. 2 seed locked up, resting starters is smart given how early the bye week was. The last thing we need is Barkley to suffer a freak injury while chasing a record in a meaningless game.

As the NFC’s No. 2 seed, the Eagles will host the No. 7 seed, either Washington or Green Bay, in the Wild Card round.

2K for @Saquon!

Barkley is the first player in @NFL history to rush for 2K yards in his first season with a team AND the first @Eagles player to hit 2K yards AND the second-oldest player to do it (behind @BarrySanders)! pic.twitter.com/YY25AL3s5K

— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) January 1, 2025

Mandatory Credit: ESPN