The Jacksonville Jaguars are getting the recognition they deserve after beating the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4. However, they can't afford to rest on their laurels, as they'll next fly to London to take on the Philadelphia Eagles at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Jags are currently a 5.5-point favorite against Philly, and understandably so. Trevor Lawrence is playing as well as some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, while their defense has surrendered the fewest points across the league four games into the season.
Simply put, Jacksonville isn't in need of help to beat the Eagles. However, the latest Saquon Barkley injury news could most definitely make things easier.
Saquon Barkley is week to week and may not face the Jaguars in Week 5
Saquon Barkley suffered a hamstring injury in the devastating Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni says that Barkley will be week-to-week, noting that the Pro Bowl running back will do what he can to face the Jaguars. But if he's available, he'll probably not be at full strength or will be on a snap count.
Since landing in Philadelphia via trade in 2024, Barkley has become an integral piece of their defense, racking up over 3,100 rushing yards — you read that right — the past two seasons.
Compounding the issue is that once Barkley left the loss to the Cowboys, Tank Bigsby became the primary option in the Dallas backfield. However, he also suffered an injury that requires core muscle surgery. The former Auburn Tiger landed on the Injury Reserve list around the same time the news dropped and won't be available for his revenge game against Jacksonville.
Without Barkley and Bigsby in the mix, Will Shipley will tentatively be RB1 for the Eagles. Dameon Pierce, Carson Steele, and Jaydon Blue are on their practice squad. One of them could be either elevated or signed to the practice squad. That said, none of them will be able to fill the void left by Barkley and Bigsby.
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Injuries are quickly mounting for the Eagles ahead of the Jaguars game in Week 5
The Eagles aren't doing great and won't be at full strength when they play the Jaguars. Aside from Tank Bigsby and Saquon Barkley, they may also be without wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who's dealing with a hamstring injury and could miss several weeks. Similarly, tight end Dallas Goedert is on the injury reserve, so it will be up to Jalen Hurts to elevate his team.
The issue is that even if Philly weren't dealing with injuries, its offense is in the midst of a funk. Hurts hasn't played particularly well, and it looks like newly hired offensive coordinator Sean Mannion hasn't been able to get his unit going. If that wasn't enough, Nick Sirianni is making decisions that are actively hurting his team.
Simply put, the Eagles are vulnerable. It will be up to the Jaguars to capitalize on their less-than-ideal situation and beating when they play in London.
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