PHILADELPHIA -- Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is expected to return to practice Thursday and is in line to play Monday against the Cowboys, sources told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, providing a lift to an offense operating without star quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is out for the season with blood clots in his lungs.
Barkley exited early in the first quarter during a Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams with a hamstring injury and has been sidelined for the past two games.
With Barkley, Tank Bigsby (abdomen) and Will Shipley (foot) all injured, the Eagles were down to their fourth string running back in Dameon Pierce against the Carolina Panthers last week. Bigsby and Shipley remain on injured reserve but the return of Barkley should provide a boost to a ground game that ranks 29th in rushing yards per game (82.2).
Barkley has appeared in four games and has 36 carries for 182 yards (5.1 yards per attempt).
The issues go beyond just running back personnel, however. The offensive line has been missing three-fifths of its original starting five in Lane Johnson (retirement), Cam Jurgens (traded) and Landon Dickerson (knee) and has not been nearly as stout as usual in the run or pass game.
On the defensive side, the Eagles have a handful of injured players including edges Nolan Smith (concussion), Jalyx Hunt (knee/ankle) and Jonathan Greenard (ankle). Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said he was hopeful Greenard could play against the Cowboys while calling it "possible" Hunt plays depending on how practice goes this week.
