Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson will remain the NFL’s single-season rushing leader for at least one more year.
With the Philadelphia Eagles’ postseason secured, head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters on Wednesday that the team is “gonna rest some guys” in what proves to be a meaningless season finale against the visiting New York Giants. Chiefly among that group is star running back Saquon Barkley, who needed 101 yards to break Dickerson’s hallowed mark of 2,105 yards set with the Los Angeles Rams during a 16-game season in 1984.
Health, however, remains the top priority for the Eagles (13-3), who are locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC heading into their finale versus the Giants (3-13).
“It’s a very special record that’s been standing for a very long time by a great player,” Sirianni said. “But you try to do what’s best for the team. Our goals are to have success and play good the next game we play.”
Barkley has rushed for at least 101 yards in 11 games this season, including Sunday’s 41-7 rout of the Dallas Cowboys when his 167 yards made him the ninth player in NFL history to reach 2,000.
On Sunday, Barkley told reporters that he will abide by Sirianni’s decision with respect to the season finale against his former team.
“Whatever his decision is, I’m all for it,” Barkley said at the time. “If his mindset is, we’ll go out there and try it, I’ll go out there and try it. If his mindset is, let’s rest and get ready for this run, I’m all for that, too … I came here to do something special. Breaking a record is special, but I want a banner up there. I think we all do.”
In his first season with the Eagles, Barkley leads the NFL in rushing attempts (345), rushing yards (2,005) and yards from scrimmage (2,283).
Also on Wednesday, Sirianni said Jalen Hurts remains in concussion protocol and that a decision has yet to be made on which quarterback will start against the Giants in light of Kenny Pickett’s rib injury. Tanner McKee or Ian Book could get the nod for the Eagles.
Hurts and Pickett were both injured during Philadelphia’s 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders on Dec. 22. Pickett threw for 143 yards in that contest as well as versus the Cowboys before McKee relieved him and completed 3 of 4 passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns.
The Eagles also opened the 21-day practice window for tight end Dallas Goedert on Wednesday.
Goedert was placed on injured reserve Dec. 7, six days after he sustained a knee injury during the Eagles’ 24-19 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
Goedert, 29, started all nine games he has played this season and totaled 38 receptions on 46 targets for 441 yards and two touchdowns.
The Eagles selected Goedert in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has 345 receptions for 4,030 yards and 24 TDs in 92 career games (75 starts).
–Field Level Media
