Rest My Chase

PHILADELPHIA – Moments into his Wednesday media availability, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni ended the suspense.

Sirianni, who alluded to a collaborative approach in navigating the circumstance of weighing the risk-reward of playing running back Saquon Barkley in a meaningless Week 18 game for a final shot at the rushing record, had reached a decision.

“We’re gonna rest some guys,” he said. “We’re locked into that No. 2 seed, so we’re gonna rest some guys. There’s gonna be some guys that are resting, there’s gonna be some guys that are in reserve roles – you can’t obviously rest everybody with the roster. And so, that’s our plan moving forward.”

Does that include Barkley?

“Yeah,” Sirianni said. “He’ll probably be somebody that rests.”

GETTY IMAGES: Eagles RB Saquon Barkley will rest in Week 18 instead of hunting the NFL’s single-season rushing record.

Much of the conversation to start the week centered on Barkley, specifically how the Eagles might play his final attempt at the record books.

But Barkley, the newest member of the 2,000 rushing club, will finish the 2024 campaign 101 yards shy of leap-frogging Eric Dickerson, whose rushing record of 40 years remains safe.

The Eagles knew the risk was never worth the potential reward, as not only would Barkley be placed in harm’s way against a Giants team merely playing out the string but also the concern of chippy play in light of what’s at stake.

Barkley’s involvement would also necessitate the entire first-team offense taking the field for a game that means nothing in the standings.

For an Eagles team that last had a bye week back in Week 5, the opportunity to rest players such as Barkley, the offensive linemen and other marquee contributors in preparation for what’s expected to be a deep postseason run is invaluable.

Barkley, for his part, still found his way into the record books, as he is one of only nine players to rush for 2,000 yards or more in a single season.

With Barkley sidelined this week look for rookie running back Will Shipley – if he clears concussion protocol – and perhaps practice squad call-up Ty Davis-Price to shoulder the rushing workload.

The regular-season finale might not have much buzz surrounding it, but the decision to rest key players creates an opportunity for several reserves to log some meaningful snaps.

Good For Goedert

In other news, the Eagles on Wednesday announced the opening of tight end Dallas Goedert’s 21-day window.

Goedert, who was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 7 with a knee injury, now has three weeks to return to action, creating a strong possibility he returns in time for the team’s wild card matchup.

Goedert finished the regular season with 441 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 38 catches.

Goedert’s return would arm the Eagles with another weapon in the receiving game.

Over Goedert’s four-game absence, third-year pro Grant Calcaterra managed 72 receiving yards and a touchdown on five receptions.

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.