Is Saquon Barkley playing today? Injury update, start-or-sit advice for Week 8

· Yahoo Sports

The Philadelphia Eagles will look to get back on track when they face the Washington Commanders in NFL Week 8. Sitting at 2-5, they cannot afford many more setbacks as they try to turn things around.

Saquon Barkley is one player whose availability has drawn attention ahead of Sunday’s divisional matchup. The running back returned from a two-game absence last week but struggled to stay on the field throughout the contest.

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The Eagles have since provided another update on Barkley’s availability. Here’s what to know about his status and what fantasy managers should expect.

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Is Saquon Barkley playing today?

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

Yes, Barkley is expected to play against the Commanders on Sunday night. The Eagles cleared the running back by leaving him off their final injury report on Friday.

Barkley missed Wednesday and Thursday’s practices with hamstring and back injuries before returning as a limited participant on Friday. His return was an encouraging sign after he dealt with both issues during last week’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Barkley managed just 10 snaps against the Cowboys but still finished with 71 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. His limited involvement raises questions about how much work he can handle against Washington.

The running back said after Friday’s practice that he felt good enough to return, while also stressing the importance of listening to the medical staff and being smart with his recovery.

Should you start Saquon Barkley in fantasy football?

Fantasy managers can consider starting Barkley against Washington, but they should be cautious about expecting his usual workload.

His availability is encouraging, but last week’s performance showed how much his injuries can affect his playing time.

His touchdown helped rescue his fantasy performance last week, but relying on another score would be risky. Managers with reliable alternatives at running back should weigh those options before locking Barkley into their lineups.

Verdict: Start Barkley if you do not have a stronger option. His health and potential workload make him a less dependable fantasy option this week.

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