Saquon Barkley will not participate in the Philadelphia Eagles‘ preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday. Despite being a key player for the team, Barkley is among several starters expected to rest during this first preseason game as part of the Eagles’ preparation strategy for the upcoming regular season.
After an outstanding 2024 season where he helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance, Barkley recently signed a two-year contract extension worth $41.2 million. He delivered an impressive performance last year, rushing for 2,005 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns on 345 carries, in addition to contributing 278 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 33 receptions. His efforts earned him the Offensive Player of the Year award. During the playoffs, Barkley added 499 yards and five rushing touchdowns over 91 carries.
Although Barkley is active and not listed on the injury report, the Eagles have opted to preserve his health by resting him for the preseason. He has expressed his intention to build upon the team’s recent success in the coming seasons.
The Eagles’ preseason schedule continues with games against the Cleveland Browns on August 16 and the New York Jets on August 22.
Viewing Details for the Eagles vs. Bengals Preseason Matchup
The preseason game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, held at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Fans across several states can watch the contest on local channels depending on their region.
In Pennsylvania, the game will be broadcast on WPMT FOX 43 covering the Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York area, WOLF FOX 56 serving Wilkes-Barre-Scranton-Hazelton, and WWCP FOX 8 for regions including Johnstown, Altoona, State College, DuBois, and Bedford.
Ohio viewers can tune in via WXIX FOX 19 in Cincinnati, WSYX ABC 6 in Columbus, WKEF ABC 22 in Dayton, and WLIO FOX 8.2 in Lima. Kentucky fans can watch on WLEX Lex 18 in Lexington and WDRB FOX 41 in Louisville. Additionally, the game will be available on KHII in Hawaii.
Implications of Barkley’s Rest During Preseason
Resting Saquon Barkley during the preseason opener reflects a cautious approach by the Eagles to maintain their star running back’s health and effectiveness for the regular season. Given his significant contributions to the team’s success last season, keeping Barkley fresh could be pivotal in ensuring he performs at his highest level when the stakes are at their peak.
With preseason games typically serving as opportunities for evaluating depth and conditioning, Barkley’s absence allows other players a chance to gain experience while the coaching staff refines its roster. The decision exemplifies a broader league trend to protect key players from unnecessary risk ahead of the more demanding regular season and playoffs.