Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley returned to action on Monday night after a three-week absence due to a hamstring injury, but his effectiveness appeared limited as the team suffered a 38-21 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Barkley rushed for 62 yards and scored a touchdown, yet was held to only nine touches as the Eagles restricted his workload to manage his health.

Speaking after the game, Barkley acknowledged ongoing physical challenges beyond the hamstring issue, including back pain he attributed to compensating for the injury. “It’s just not responding the way I want it to respond right now,” Barkley said, describing the difficulties he has faced throughout the season.

Despite the setbacks, Barkley credited the Eagles’ training and medical staff for his ability to return to the field so soon, calling their work “amazing.” The 2024 Offensive Player of the Year conceded that Monday’s game was not a full return to form, noting his explosiveness was notably absent from key plays such as a 29-yard run early in the game. Head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed Barkley was placed on a pitch count and acknowledged that his performance was limited compared to expectations. “He definitely played a little less than what we initially thought,” Sirianni said. “But he’s tough as heck, and it’s good to have him back out there.”

The Eagles have endured a difficult start to the 2026 season, standing at 2-5 and struggling in the NFC standings. The team has also been hit hard by significant roster challenges, including the sudden retirement of right tackle Lane Johnson, injuries to wide receiver DeVonta Smith, and the ongoing blood-clotting health issue that has sidelined quarterback Jalen Hurts for the season.

Barkley acknowledged the adversity but remained optimistic, emphasizing the ability of the team to rebound. “You’ve got to move on quick,” he said following the Eagles’ fifth consecutive defeat—a stretch not seen in Philadelphia for a decade. He referenced the franchise’s 2021 season, when the team overcame a 3-6 start to finish 9-8 and secure a wild-card playoff spot.

Yet some in the locker room, including left tackle Jordan Mailata, struck a more urgent tone, insisting the team must take responsibility for its struggles. “No one’s coming to save us, we’ve got to save ourselves,” Mailata said.

With Hurts out, the Eagles have turned to fourth-year quarterback Tanner McKee, who has started only four previous games. Barkley described the need for collective leadership to compensate for the absence of key players. “It’s gonna take me and Jordan, all of us to kind of fill that void,” he said. “We’re doing a great job leading, and we’re working our ass off. It sucks when the results aren’t going the way you want them to go.”

Looking ahead, the November 10 trade deadline adds uncertainty, with general manager Howie Roseman potentially considering moves involving veteran players. Barkley said that while players have little control over such decisions, the team remains focused on competing. “We believe that in this locker room,” he noted, though whether that optimism extends beyond the locker room remains unclear.