The Philadelphia Eagles have different answers on two offensive stars entering Week 7 against the Dallas Cowboys. DeVonta Smith is out with a hamstring injury, while Saquon Barkley remains questionable despite finishing the practice week as a full participant.
Barkley’s Saturday upgrade is encouraging, but it does not confirm he will play. Philadelphia must still prepare for the possibility of being without its featured running back alongside an already unavailable receiving weapon.
Smith’s situation is settled after three missed practices. Barkley’s is not, leaving the Eagles to balance optimism about his progress with uncertainty about his availability and potential workload.
Saquon Barkley’s full practice offers hope, not a guarantee
Barkley progressed from limited participation Thursday and Friday to full participation Saturday while managing his hamstring injury. That is a positive practice trajectory, particularly compared with remaining limited or missing the final session.
However, the Eagles retained his questionable designation. The appropriate conclusion is that playing remains possible, not that he has been cleared for an unrestricted role.
His official game log shows no appearances in Weeks 5 and 6. Through four games this season, he has 182 rushing yards on 36 carries, averaging 5.1 yards per attempt. Philadelphia would welcome that efficiency back into its offense.
If Barkley plays, the next question becomes how much responsibility he can handle. Being active and receiving a normal workload are separate matters, and the report does not establish a projected snap count.
His presence could help Philadelphia maintain balance and avoid relying too heavily on a passing attack missing Smith. Without him, the Eagles would need other backs to sustain the ground game rather than simply abandon it.
Either way, Saturday’s improvement provides legitimate encouragement without resolving the final decision.
DeVonta Smith’s absence puts pressure on other receiving options
Smith will not play after failing to practice Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Unlike Barkley, there is no remaining availability question to debate.
The loss is significant. Smith has 26 catches for 310 yards and two touchdowns in four appearances this season. He caught seven passes for 75 yards and a touchdown against Carolina in Week 6, making his absence another interruption after a productive return.
Philadelphia also ruled out Dontayvion Wicks, who missed all three practices with an ankle injury. Losing both receivers reduces the available options and complicates how the offense distributes opportunities.
Marquise Brown and Britain Covey practiced fully throughout the week with ankle and shoulder injuries, respectively. Their supplied game-status fields are unspecified, so those entries should not be presented as explicit clearance.
Dallas Goedert returned to full participation Saturday after missing Thursday and Friday with a knee injury. That improvement offers another encouraging development, although his listed game status is also unspecified.
Grant Calcaterra and Eli Stowers are questionable despite three full practices, reinforcing why participation alone cannot settle availability.
Article Continues BelowOffensive line and defensive concerns deepen Philadelphia’s challenge
Landon Dickerson followed Barkley’s progression, moving from two limited practices to full participation Saturday. He remains questionable with knee and pectoral injuries, adding uncertainty to the blocking picture.
Tyler Steen, Drew Kendall, Willie Lampkin and Moro Ojomo also finished the week practicing fully, though their supplied statuses are unspecified.
Defensively, Michael Carter II and Nolan Smith are out after three missed practices, with abdomen and concussion injuries, respectively.
Jonathan Greenard is questionable after missing Friday and Saturday with an ankle injury. Jalyx Hunt remained limited throughout the week and is questionable, as is Jakorian Bennett despite full participation.
Those concerns increase the value of sustained offensive drives. Philadelphia needs efficient possessions, manageable downs and contributions from its remaining playmakers against Dallas.