“God’s Plan”: Barkley Reacts to Eagles Sitting Him Shy of NFL Rushing Record

Pittsburgh Steelers v Philadelphia Eagles

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Saquon Barkley has been opted out of playing in the Philadelphia Eagles season finale against the New York Giants. Sitting at 2,005 rushing yards on the season, Saquon’s absence allows Erik Dickerson’s NFL single-season rushing record set in 1984, to remain intact.

Barkley became the 9th RB in NFL History to eclipse 2,000 rushing yards in Sunday’s win over the Dallas Cowboys. Barkley needed just 101 yards to top Dickerson’s 40 year old record of 2,105 yards.

As the Eagles have secured a postseason spot, coach Nick Sirianni suggested Barkley will be one of the starters who will rest as the Eagles gear up for the playoffs.

“He will probably be somebody that rests,” Sirianni said.

Sirianni also told sources that quarterback Jalen Hurts remains in concussion protocol. He sustained the injury Week 16 against the Washington Commanders and did not play Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.

Barkley spoke on receiving the news that he’ll be sitting out week 18 and how special it could have been to make history.

“I think it’s pretty cool that as bad as I wanted the record, the linemen wanted it too,” Barkley said. “My name would be the one in there, in the history books, they would have been the ones that would have done it for me.”

“It would have been special to do it against the Giants, but not for the reasons how you guys would probably perceive it to be,” Barkley said. “At the end of the day, I got nothing but love and respect for those guys over there. There’s a lot of trainers, coaches, and strength guys that helped me out with my ACL, helped me out with my injuries, and I wouldn’t be able to be the player I am today without those guys over there too. So it would have kinda been like a full circle moment.

“At the end of the day, it’s not in God’s plan. He had bigger things in mind. We have a chance to rest and get ready to roll for the playoffs.”

Watch Saquon Barkley’s entire press conference below!

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READ: Saquon Barkley credits offensive lineman after breaking Eagles’ single-season rushing record