Fantasy Football DeskNFL news with the fantasy impact, fast.
  1. Final/OTSEA14DEN17
  2. FinalHOU34JAX31
  3. FinalCHI31ATL23
  4. FinalBAL10CLE13
  5. FinalTEN26IND20
  6. FinalNYJ19NE26
  7. FinalNO34NYG27
  8. FinalCAR25PHI14
  9. Final/OTPIT26TB19
  10. FinalARI18LAR16
  11. FinalLAC6KC22
  12. FinalBUF33LV30
  13. FinalDAL13GB23
  14. Mon 8:15 PMWASSF
  15. All games →
News

Eagles sign former Texans RB as Barkley and Bigsby deal with injuries

Philadelphia adds a running back to the 53-man roster while two of its top backs are sidelined.

By Cole Hartwell
Saquon Barkley
Photo: Chris Spon / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped) via Wikimedia Commons · License

The Eagles are adding a former Texans running back to their 53-man roster, according to the Sporting News, as starting running back Saquon Barkley and backup Tank Bigsby both deal with injuries. The move provides depth to a backfield that has been hit hard early in the season.

What happened

Saquon Barkley (hamstring) and Tank Bigsby (abdomen) are both unavailable. Barkley did not practice Wednesday, as reported by Underdog NFL and Mike Garafolo. Barkley is listed as questionable for Week 5, but his lack of participation in practice raises doubts about his availability. Bigsby is on injured reserve with an abdomen injury and will miss at least several weeks.

DeVonta Smith (hamstring) also did not practice Wednesday, adding another question mark to the Eagles’ offense. Smith is listed as questionable for Week 5.

Context

Barkley has been limited this season, playing only 38% of snaps through four games and carrying 36 times for 182 yards and no touchdowns. He left Week 4 early with the hamstring issue after playing just 7% of snaps. Bigsby had stepped in as the primary backup, seeing 26% of snaps and 28 carries for 91 yards and one touchdown in four games. He is now on IR.

The Eagles’ running back depth behind Barkley and Bigsby was thin, which likely prompted the signing of the former Texans running back. The specific player’s name was not immediately disclosed in the source, but the move is intended to bolster the depth chart.

DeVonta Smith has been a key target in the passing game, with 19 receptions for 235 yards and a touchdown in three games. His potential absence would put more pressure on other receivers and the running game.

What’s next

The Eagles have not yet announced whether Barkley or Smith will play in Week 5. Both are listed as questionable and their status will be clarified later in the week. The newly signed running back could be active for the upcoming game, depending on how quickly he can learn the playbook and whether the injured players are cleared.

Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith among the DNPs today for the #Eagles.

Saquon Barkley (hamstring), DeVonta Smith (hamstring) officially don't practice Wednesday.

🏈 Fantasy impact

Barkley managers should prepare for him to possibly miss Week 5 given his inability to practice Wednesday. If he is out, the Eagles’ backfield becomes very thin, but the newly signed former Texans RB is unlikely to be a fantasy factor immediately, as he will need time to learn the offense. Bigsby is on IR and can be dropped in most redraft leagues. DeVonta Smith’s hamstring issue is concerning; if he sits, target shares could shift to other Eagles receivers, but no clear beneficiary emerges from the data. The signing itself does not move the needle for fantasy, so avoid adding the new running back unless there is further news on Barkley’s availability.

Quick answers

Is Saquon Barkley playing in Week 5?

Barkley is listed as questionable and did not practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, so his status is uncertain.

Should I drop Tank Bigsby in fantasy football?

Bigsby is on injured reserve with an abdomen injury, so he is not a viable fantasy option for the near future and can be dropped in most redraft leagues.

Who is the new Eagles running back?

The specific name of the former Texans running back signed by the Eagles was not disclosed in the source, only that the signing occurred.

Sources

  1. Player data (Sleeper)
  2. Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith among the DNPs today for the #Eagles. (X (@MikeGarafolo))
  3. Saquon Barkley (hamstring), DeVonta Smith (hamstring) officially don't practice Wednesday. (X (@UnderdogNFL))
  4. Saquon Barkley (hamstring) not seen participating in practice Wednesday, per @MrUram. (X (@UnderdogNFL))
  5. Eagles add ex-Texans RB to NFL roster amid Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby injuries (Sporting News)

This article was drafted by AI from the sources above and published after every claim passed an automatic check against those sources. Our editor monitors stories and corrects errors. How we work · Report an error