Saquon Barkley injury: Eagles running back returns to Titans game

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 20: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during warm ups prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images) | Getty Images On the very first play of the Eagles’ first offensive drive against the Titans on Sunday, Saquon Barkley was tackled for a loss, and subsequently suffered a stinger. The running back promptly went to the medical tent on the sideline, where he stayed for awhile before running back to the locker room, before being listed as questionable to return.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Barkley spent much of the first half on the sideline testing and stretching his neck and shoulder area, but thankfully the RB was able to return to the game after halftime. Unfortunately, Barkley only played through the third quarter, and came back off the field in the fourth.

class="wp-block-paragraph">After the game, Barkley said he will get an MRI to see where he stands, but as reporter Cameron Wolfe noted, the RB was able to wear a backpack on his injured shoulder, so that should count for something.

Saquon Barkley said he’s alright but will get an MRI, expects to know more later in the week.

Barkley was comfortable enough to wear a backpack on his injured left shoulder leaving locker room.

Eagles & Barkley said it’s a stinger. He initially returned but didn’t finish game.

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) September 20, 2026While he was out, Tank Bigsby was the Eagles’ primary backup running back and Will Shipley was also mixed in.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Philadelphia’s run game already faced some challenges with several moves to the offensive line ahead of the game — including moving Cam Jurgens to left guard to replace Landon Dickerson, who is on IR, and then Drew Kendall at center.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Barkley had an uneven performance in Week 1 and was looking forward to having more net-positive runs in his second game of the season. Unfortunately, he recorded just one carry for zero yards before leaving the game, and wasn’t able to do much in his short return back in the second half.