Eagles lose Barkley, Johnson, and six others as Rams rally for 24-20 upset

Key points

• Saquon Barkley exited the game early in the first quarter with a hamstring injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the match.
• Lane Johnson, a 36-year-old offensive tackle, was inactive for the game due to personal reasons, a status that remains uncertain for future weeks.
• Six players, including wide receiver DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert, were ruled out before the game started due to injuries.
• The Eagles lost 24-20 after failing to convert a fourth-down pass attempt in the final quarter, allowing the Rams to score a game-winning touchdown.
• Jalen Hurts completed only 12 of 27 passes for 93 yards, citing poor execution and alignment issues as the cause for the offensive struggles.

Background

The Eagles entered Week 4 with a 2-1 record, having faced injury concerns in previous weeks, including a stinger suffered by Barkley in Week 2. The team had already dealt with the absence of DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert prior to the game against the Rams, a matchup highlighted by significant injury challenges for both squads.

How outlets are covering it

Bleeding Green Nation emphasizes the sheer volume of injuries, noting that the Eagles' starting lineup is in disarray after losing Barkley, Quinyon Mitchell, and Jonathan Greenard during the game. CBS News highlights the strategic failure, focusing on the controversial fourth-down decision by head coach Nick Sirianni that led to the loss, while noting that Sirianni accepted full responsibility for the call. Bleacher Report focuses on the long-term impact of Barkley's injury, noting that it opens the door for backups Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley, and highlights that Barkley had avoided serious injuries since 2020. All sources agree that the Eagles' offense struggled significantly, with Hurts finishing with a low completion percentage and the team failing to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Why it matters

The injury crisis threatens the Eagles' offensive identity and depth, particularly with key playmakers like Barkley and Johnson unavailable. The loss to the Rams drops the team to 2-2 and raises questions about the coaching staff's decision-making under pressure. With a trip to London against the Jacksonville Jaguars next, the Eagles must quickly adapt to a depleted roster while dealing with the fallout from a preventable fourth-quarter collapse.

What to watch

The Eagles will assess the return timelines for Barkley, Johnson, and other injured players before their Week 5 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. The team will likely rely on backups like Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley at running back, while evaluating the status of Lane Johnson, who has indicated his 14th season may be his last.