In the Philadelphia Eagles‘ recent victory over the Cleveland Browns, star running back Saquon Barkley faced a challenging outing, managing only 47 rushing yards on 18 carries. This performance stands in stark contrast to his impressive season average of 108.75 rushing yards and one touchdown per game.
Adding to Barkley’s woes, he was hit with a hefty $45,020 fine from the NFL for unnecessary roughness, as reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The fine stems from an incident where Barkley used his helmet to push through a Cleveland defender, a play that has drawn the league’s scrutiny amid ongoing efforts to reduce concussions in football. While player safety is paramount, many observers question the steepness of the fine, especially since there was no injury on the play.
Barkley, now in his first season with the Eagles after being selected second overall by the New York Giants in the 2018 NFL Draft, has had a tumultuous career. Despite injuries hampering his performance in previous seasons, he has managed to showcase his talents this year, rushing for a total of 482 yards and four touchdowns across five games. Additionally, he has recorded 14 receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown.
His rookie season was nothing short of remarkable, as he racked up 1,307 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, while also leading the league in yards from scrimmage with a staggering 2,028 yards. That year, he set the NFL record for most receptions by a rookie running back and earned accolades including the Pro Bowl selection and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Barkley’s subsequent seasons were marked by injury setbacks, but he bounced back in 2022 with a career-high 1,312 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, earning a second Pro Bowl nod. To date, he has amassed a total of 5,693 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns on 1,292 attempts, along with 302 receptions for 2,192 yards and 13 touchdowns.
As the Eagles look to build on their early-season success, they will need their star running back to return to form quickly, particularly after this disappointing performance and the accompanying fine. For Barkley, the path to redemption lies in returning to the dominant play that made him one of the league’s premier talents.
