PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles will be without starting running back Saquon Barkley and wide receiver DeVonta Smith on Sunday when they face the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Philadelphia officially ruled out both offensive stars on Friday because of hamstring injuries, according to team injury reports. Neither Barkley nor Smith participated in practice during the week leading up to the Week 5 international matchup.
Depleted skill positions
Barkley injured his right hamstring early in a 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last week and exited after just two carries, the Associated Press reported. The veteran back has recorded 182 yards on 36 carries this season. Smith will miss his second consecutive contest after sustaining a hamstring issue in Week 3.
The absences leave the Eagles thin at multiple skill positions. With backup Tank Bigsby currently on injured reserve due to a core muscle injury, third-year running back Will Shipley is slated to take on the primary rushing role. Philadelphia also signed Carson Steele to the active roster and called up Dameon Pierce from the practice squad to provide backfield depth.
At receiver, Philadelphia will also be without Marquise Brown, who was ruled out due to an ankle injury. Starting receiver Dontayvion Wicks was limited in practice after tweaking a hamstring on Thursday, but coach Nick Sirianni praised his toughness, and Wicks did not receive an injury designation for Sunday. Darius Cooper and rookie Makai Lemon are expected to see expanded snaps alongside him.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts appeared on Friday’s report with a calf issue, but he fully participated in drills and carries no game designation. The Eagles reshuffled their quarterback room behind him, releasing veteran backup Andy Dalton to leave Tanner McKee and rookie Cole Payton as the reserves.
Offensive line and defensive adjustments
Philadelphia’s offense is also navigating extensive changes on the line. Starting center Drew Kendall was ruled out with a knee injury, pushing 2025 undrafted rookie Jake Majors into the starting role. Majors was signed to the active roster Friday after taking first-team snaps in practice.
The offensive line shift comes in the wake of tackle Lane Johnson’s sudden retirement and Wednesday’s trade of two-time Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens for second- and fifth-round draft picks. Addressing the sudden changes before boarding the team flight, Sirianni expressed faith in his remaining blockers.
“I feel really confident in the room of who we have in there and the direction we’re moving toward,” Sirianni said, according to the AP. “Like I said, wish Cam nothing but the best, but feel really good about everybody that’s in this room.”
Defensively, safety Marcus Epps was ruled out with a groin injury, meaning Andrew Mukuba and Cooper DeJean are expected to handle safety responsibilities. Pass rusher Jonathan Greenard is listed as questionable with an ankle injury after sitting out practice all week.
On the positive side for Philadelphia, tight end Dallas Goedert will make his return after missing two games with a knee ailment. Linebacker Zack Baun cleared the concussion protocol and will play, while cornerback Quinyon Mitchell is also cleared following a knee scare.
Jacksonville ruled out reserve cornerback Jaylon Jones and listed starting safety Eric Murray as doubtful. The Eagles were scheduled to land in London on Saturday morning as they try to break a two-game losing streak.
