PHILADELPHIA − Perhaps Dallas Goedert should have thought twice about trying to match Saquon Barkley’s now-famous reverse hurdle on a Jacksonville defender Sunday.
After all, it was Goedert’s first training since he suffered his hamstring injury in the match Eagles‘ game against the Cleveland Browns on October 13. And the Eagles tight end wants to make sure he’s ready to return with two NFC East Division games in the span of four days, starting next Sunday against the Dallas Cowboysfollowed next Thursday evening by the Washington Commanders.
“I tried it out today, during warm-up, just walking through it,” Goedert said. “It’s mind-boggling. I couldn’t even jump over my shoe and land. So the things that he does are special. Getting him here and being able to play with a running back of that caliber, that opens everything up. I’m I’m just excited to to get out there and block so I can see more plays like that.”
Dallas Goedert of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a one-handed catch against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter at Caesars Superdome on September 22, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Goedert’s return to practice, along with that of cornerback Darius Slay, who missed last week’s game with a groin injury; and wide receiver AJ Brown, who left Sunday’s 28-23 win over Jacksonville, all represented good news for the Eagles.
Goedert was a full practice participant on Wednesday, while Slay and Brown were limited.
The bad news was wide receiver DeVonta Smith missed practice with a hamstring injury, while quarterback Jalen Hurts and Barkley were limited due to rest.
There is nothing unusual about the rest days for key players. But Hurts has never taken one in the past. He insisted it was just an injury.
“I just do what I’m told,” Hurts said. He was then asked what it was like to do mental repetitions.
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“I just lock in and do what I’m asked to do when I’m asked to do it,” he said. “It was a really good session.”
As for Barkley, a rest day in practice is well deserved after he carried the ball 27 times for 159 yards and added 3 catches for 40 yards on Sunday.
Barkley admitted after the match that he was “beaten up.”
He then added, “I don’t want to get too much into what happened. Nothing too crazy. Just a little TLC this week and I’ll be good to go.”
Overall, Barkley has 157 carries for 925 yards, along with 20 catches for 146 yards. With 177 total touches, Barkley is on pace for a career-high 376. His previous best was 352 yards with the Giants in 2018 and again in 2022.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said he is trying to monitor Barkley’s workload, adding that Barkley was absent for most of the fourth quarter in the previous two games — comfortable wins over Cincinnati and the Giants.
“You try to take care of them and do what you have to do to win every football game,” Sirianni said. “You try to take care of them all week long… And that’s really our job: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and then being aware of that on Sunday.”
Several other players were on the injury report on Wednesday.
Edge rusher Nolan Smith (groin) and linebacker/fullback Ben VanSumeren (concussion) did not practice. Center Cam Jurgens (wrist), right guard Mekhi Becton (ankle), left tackle Fred Johnson (knee) and edge rushers Bryce Huff (wrist) and Josh Sweat (hip) were among those limited.
Goedert, meanwhile, said he was excited to be back in training. He was the Eagles’ leading receiver when he was injured with 24 catches for 301 yards.
The Eagles won the game in which Goedert was hurt, plus the three others he missed, as Grant Calcaterra had 13 catches for 160 yards in that span.
“He certainly took advantage of his opportunity,” Goedert said about Calcaterra. “I’m hoping now that with what he did, the (two tight packages) with me and him, we can get a little bit more of the passing game out of it while continuing the run game that we’ve had in the past.
“I’m happy for him because he showed a lot of people what he can do.”
Added Hurts: “It’ll be cool this week to see how we can get everyone involved. Obviously, having Dallas (Goedert) back is a big part for us. And we’re all excited about that.”
They’re also excited about Barkley’s back hurdle, something that’s still talked about even three days later. Barkley was also named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week. It’s his second time this season.
“Not many people could even think of doing something like that, and the way he executed it is special,” Goedert said. “That’s for sure… When you’re that gifted, whatever comes into your head, he does crazy things all the time.
“I’m sure he’s surprised at himself, but I’m sure he’s saying, ‘I could have done better.’ He’s that kind of person.”
Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.
This article originally appeared in Delaware News Journal: Eagles: Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley rest; DeVonta Smith’s hamstring injury