The status of Saquon Barkley\u2019s pursuit of the NFL single-season rushing record remains up in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said during his weekly radio show with 94WIP on Tuesday that he will meet with players and team brass before deciding whether Barkley will play in Sunday\u2019s regular-season finale against his old team, the New York Giants, at Lincoln Financial Field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NFC East champion Eagles (13-3) are locked into the No. 2 playoff seed in the NFC, turning the contest against the Giants (3-13) into an ideal opportunity to rest their starters for the postseason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barkley, 27, needs 101 yards to break Eric Dickerson\u2019s hallowed mark of 2,105 yards set during a 16-game season in 1984. Barkley has rushed for at least 101 yards in 11 games this season, including Sunday\u2019s 41-7 rout of the Dallas Cowboys when his 167 yards made him the ninth player in NFL history to reach 2,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll talk to our staff, I\u2019ll talk to the players, I\u2019ll talk to (general manager) Howie (Roseman), I\u2019ll talk to (owner) Mr. (Jeffrey) Lurie. I\u2019ll talk to everybody to try and make sure that I\u2019m making the best decision for the football team,\u201d Sirianni said Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sirianni\u2019s next media availability is Wednesday, when he is expected to announce the playing status for Barkley as well as quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion protocol) and other starters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is a precedent for playing Barkley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the Eagles\u2019 2021 season finale against Dallas, Sirianni rested several key players but gave wideout DeVonta Smith a chance to break the franchise\u2019s rookie receiving record held by DeSean Jackson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Smith had 41 yards to finish with 916, topping Jackson\u2019s 2018 total of 912.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you think back a couple of years ago to 2021, Smitty was going for the rookie receiver record. Everybody else was resting, but we wanted for everyone else \u2014 whatever it was \u2014 we didn\u2019t play some other guys in that game, but we went and got him that record,\u201d Sirianni said. \u201cEvery situation is a little different. Not saying one way or the other or how that\u2019s going to play out or even that I made a decision yet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barkley told reporters on Sunday that he will respect Sirianni\u2019s wishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhatever his decision is, I\u2019m all for it,\u201d Barkley said. \u201cIf his mindset is, we\u2019ll go out there and try it, I\u2019ll go out there and try it. If his mindset is, let\u2019s rest and get ready for this run, I\u2019m all for that, too … I came here to do something special. Breaking a record is special, but I want a banner up there. I think we all do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his first season with the Eagles, Barkley leads the NFL in rushing attempts (345), rushing yards (2,005) and yards from scrimmage (2,283).<\/p>\n\n\n\n