What Happened to Saquon Barkley? Latest Update on Eagles Star’s Injury and Why He’s Not Playing in Week 5 vs. Jaguars

It has been a wild turnaround for the Philadelphia Eagles over the last week. After a 2-0 start, it seemed like things were getting back on track following a disappointing 2025 campaign. But since then, it's gone a bit downhill.

However, it could get worse before it gets better as they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5 for their international game scheduled in London. Saquon Barkley, however, will play no part in the proceedings.

The decision to bring Barkley to town proved to be instantly beneficial for the Eagles. Setting the all-time single-season record for rushing yards (regular season and playoffs combined) was critical en route to the franchise's second Super Bowl championship.

Since then, though, the returns have been diminishing. After a mediocre 2025 season, he made a slow start this year, tallying 182 rushing yards in four games, though he left the last game against the Rams after just two carries. He will not get a chance to add to that tally in Week 5.

After suffering a hamstring injury against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4, he was unable to practice throughout the week. As a result, he has been ruled out for their game in London.

Eagles' Outlook After Saquon Barkley's Injury

Losing a game to the Chicago Bears, who were starting Case Keenum at quarterback, was the start of this string of bad luck for the Eagles. They followed up that disaster by blowing a 10-point lead to the Rams in the final eight minutes of the game.

Moreover, Jalen Hurts finished with 93 passing yards on 27 attempts in that game, one of the worst performances of his career. But things took a turn for the worse over the course of the week.

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Franchise legend Lane Johnson unexpectedly announced his retirement, leaving the Eagles without a key piece of their offensive line. Thereafter, in a move that many perceived as a sign that a fire sale might be in the works, they chose to trade Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens.

Now, as they face a red-hot Jaguars team, the offense appears to be in disarray. Alongside Barkley, backup running back Tank Bigsby was also placed on the injured reserve list, leaving the ground game in the hands of Will Shipley and Dameon Pierce. Carson Steele has also been elevated from the practice squad as insurance.

DeVonta Smith and Hollywood Brown have also been ruled out, leaving their wide receiver room shorthanded as well.