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How Large will Saquon Barkley's Workload be against Commanders?
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring/back) enters a Sunday Night Football matchup against the Washington Commanders without an injury designation. While Barkley is good to go and will likely start against Washington, his exact workload remains unclear as he continues to work through injuries. In a Week 7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Barkley was highly efficient, recording seven carries for 62 yards (8.9 yards per carry) and a touchdown, in addition to two receptions for nine yards. However, Barkley, who entered the game with a hamstring injury, played just 10 offensive snaps after suffering a back injury during the game. It will be interesting to see if Philadelphia allows Barkley to play without limitations against the Commanders or not. With multiple injuries in the backfield, the Eagles signed running back Jaydon Blue to the active roster earlier this week and are expected to elevate tailback Elijah Mitchell from the practice to the active roster ahead of Sunday night as well. Mitchell earned 14 offensive snaps against the Cowboys and tallied three carries for 11 yards (3.7 yards per carry) and three receptions for 23 yards (7.7 yards per reception). Barkley will lead Philadelphia's backfield at Washington, but Mitchell and Blue could play roles. With Tanner McKee still settling in at quarterback, the ground game for the Eagles will be important against the Commanders. Against Washington in Week 1, Barkley recorded 15 rushes for 83 yards (5.5 yards per attempt). Through five appearances in 2026, Barkley has recorded 43 rushes for 244 yards (5.7 yards per carry) and one touchdown, while adding six catches for 17 yards (2.8 yards per reception). Washington allows 100.5 rushing yards per game (14th in the NFL), and 14.4 fantasy points per game to running backs (sixth-best in the NFL, according to Pro Football Reference). Barkley ranks as RotoBaller's No. 18 running back for Week 8, but it is wise to leave him in your lineups.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Hollywood Brown Likely to see Targets Vs. Commanders
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Hollywood Brown is poised to play a fairly significant role against the Washington Commanders in Week 8 due to injuries within the team's wide receiver room. For a second consecutive week, starters DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) have been ruled out, which should lead to more targets for Brown against the Commanders. With Wicks and Smith out in a Week 7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Brown saw five targets, which ranked third for the Eagles, and recorded two receptions for 30 yards (15 yards per reception), which marked Brown's first two catches of the 2026 campaign. Brown played 36 offensive snaps against the Cowboys, working ahead of fellow wide receiver Elijah Moore (22 snaps). At wide receiver, Brown will work alongside Moore, rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon and Darius Cooper, while tight end Dallas Goedert will remain heavily involved in the passing game. With Tanner McKee at quarterback and injuries all throughout Philadelphia's offense, the Eagles are working to find consistency in the passing game. Week 8 brings a good matchup against a Washington defense that allows 254 passing yards per game (27th in the NFL). Pro Football Reference also shows that the Commanders give up 23.0 fantasy points per game to wide receivers (25th in the NFL). Brown is rostered in exactly 0% of Yahoo leagues, and he does not have much fantasy relevance right now. But with injuries to the starters, Brown's usage is something to monitor.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dontayvion Wicks Ruled Out for Week 8
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) will miss his second consecutive game after being ruled out for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Washington Commanders, according to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Wicks did not participate in Wednesday's estimated practice or Thursday's session and remained sidelined Friday. His absence removes another experienced target from Philadelphia's passing attack, with DeVonta Smith (hamstring) also unavailable. Wicks has recorded 19 receptions for 284 yards and one touchdown in six appearances, ranking second on the team in receiving yards. He played 56 of Philadelphia's 61 offensive snaps against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4 while Smith was sidelined, illustrating his importance to the receiving rotation. Makai Lemon should continue handling an expanded role after leading the Eagles with seven receptions against Dallas last week, while Darius Cooper and Hollywood Brown could see additional opportunities.
Source: Dave Zangaro
Source: Dave Zangaro
DeVonta Smith Ruled Out Against Commanders
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Washington Commanders, according to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Smith was listed as a nonparticipant on Wednesday's estimated injury report, missed Thursday's practice, and remained sidelined Friday. He will miss his second consecutive game and fourth in the past five weeks due to the lingering hamstring injury. The 27-year-old has caught 26 passes for 310 yards and two touchdowns in four appearances this season, including seven receptions for 75 yards and a score against Carolina in Week 6. Rookie Makai Lemon stepped up against Dallas last week, catching seven of eight targets for 67 yards and a touchdown. With Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) also ruled out, Lemon should remain Philadelphia's leading wide receiver option, while Dallas Goedert offers another established target for quarterback Tanner McKee.
Source: Dave Zangaro
Source: Dave Zangaro
Saquon Barkley Has No Injury Designation for Week 8
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring/back) has no injury designation for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Washington Commanders and is expected to play, according to Zach Berman. Barkley was listed as a nonparticipant on Wednesday's estimated injury report and missed Thursday's practice before returning to the field Friday. The 29-year-old missed Weeks 5 and 6 with a hamstring injury before returning against Dallas on Monday night, when a back issue cut his appearance short. Despite the limited playing time, Barkley rushed for 62 yards and a touchdown on seven carries while adding two receptions for nine yards. His expected availability is encouraging for fantasy managers, although his abbreviated outing against Dallas leaves some uncertainty about his workload. With Dameon Pierce now on injured reserve, Jaydon Blue is Philadelphia's primary healthy alternative on the active roster, while Elijah Mitchell remains on the practice squad.
Source: Zach Berman
Source: Zach Berman
Dontayvion Wicks Still Not Practicing Friday
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (ankle), who missed the team's Week 7 Monday night loss to the Cowboys, was absent again for the start of Friday's practice after failing to participate on both Wednesday and Thursday. With his ankle injury threatening to keep him out of his second straight game and DeVonta Smith still not practicing with a lingering hamstring injury that has limited him to only four games in 2026, first-round rookie Makai Lemon could be in line for a big game against the Washington Commanders in Week 8. Lemon led the team with seven receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown in Week 7, and the Commanders have been the eighth-most advantageous matchup for fantasy wide receivers in 2026.
Source: Jeff McLane
Source: Jeff McLane
DeVonta Smith Not Practicing Friday
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring), who has played in only one game since Week 4 while dealing with a lingering hamstring injury, was not seen at the start of Friday's practice, marking his third absence of the week and suggesting he will be unavailable for the team's Week 8 divisional matchup with the Commanders. With Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) also absent for his third session of the week, first-round rookie Makai Lemon should continue to see a growing workload after leading the team with seven receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown in a Week 7 Monday night loss to the Cowboys. A popular breakout candidate following the trade of three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown, Smith has popped in his limited availability, but with only four games played through seven weeks, he ranks as the WR33 on the year.
Source: Jeff McLane
Source: Jeff McLane
Saquon Barkley seen practicing Friday
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring, back) was seen at the portion of practice open to the media on Friday, according to Brooks Kubena of The Athletic. Barkley did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, but his presence at practice suggests he will have a chance to play on Sunday Night Football against the division-rival Washington Commanders while nursing hamstring and back injuries. The star RB returned from a two-game absence on Monday night in the loss to the Dallas Cowboys due to a hamstring injury and did not look comfortable, eventually being held out in the final quarter due to a compensatory back injury. Barkley said he would be fine to play on Sunday night on a short week, but he figures to be questionable to play Sunday evening, complicating fantasy managers' decisions to play him this week. With Dameon Pierce joining Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley on Injured Reserve, the Eagles could be down to Elijah Mitchell as their RB1 against Washington if Barkley is out or limited in Week 8.
Source: The Athletic - Brooks Kubena
Source: The Athletic - Brooks Kubena
Saquon Barkley Hoping to Practice on Friday
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring/back) hopes to practice on Friday ahead of their Week 8 matchup against the Washington Commanders, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Barkley dealt with a hamstring strain he suffered in Week 4. He returned in Week 7 but was clearly hindered by the injury. Now, Barkley is listed with a back issue and has not practiced on Wednesday or Thursday. If he's unable to practice on Friday, he would likely be unable to play against the division rivals on Sunday. The ninth-year back has totaled 261 scrimmage yards and one touchdown in five games this season, with injuries affecting at least three of those games. If Barkley is unable to go in Week 8, both Elijah Mitchell and Jaydon Blue would handle the bulk of the work against a tough Commanders run defense.
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Dontayvion Wicks' Ankle Keeps Eagles Receiver Picture Unsettled
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) was not spotted warming up at Thursday's practice, according to Brooks Kubena of The Athletic, leaving his availability for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Washington Commanders uncertain. He was listed as an estimated nonparticipant Wednesday after missing Monday night's loss to the Dallas Cowboys, and the veteran also missed all three practices before being ruled out against Dallas. If his continued absence from practice persists, Philadelphia would be relying on its remaining receiving options, including Makai Lemon, Hollywood Brown, and Darius Cooper, with Brown drawing five targets against Dallas and Cooper three and both potentially seeing additional opportunities.
Source: Brooks Kubena
Source: Brooks Kubena
Saquon Barkley Missing Another Practice on Thursday
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring, back) has his availability for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Washington Commanders in question after he was not spotted warming up at Thursday's practice, according to Brooks Kubena of The Athletic. He was listed as an estimated nonparticipant Wednesday after returning from a two-game absence in Monday night's 38-21 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, rushing for 62 yards and a touchdown on seven carries but playing limited snaps after his back tightened up during the game. Barkley expressed optimism about his health afterward, yet his continued absence from practice remains worrisome. Dameon Pierce was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Philadelphia signed Jaydon Blue to its active roster, and Elijah Mitchell remains another potential backfield option.
Source: Brooks Kubena
Source: Brooks Kubena
DeVonta Smith Still Not Practicing
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) is a concern for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Washington Commanders after he was not spotted warming up at Thursday's practice, according to Brooks Kubena of The Athletic, a continued absence from practice activity. He was listed as an estimated nonparticipant Wednesday after missing Monday night's loss to the Dallas Cowboys, his third absence in Philadelphia's past four games. The veteran briefly returned against the Carolina Panthers in Week 6, catching seven passes for 75 yards and a touchdown, but has struggled to stay healthy. Rookie Makai Lemon led Philadelphia with seven receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown against Dallas and could remain a prominent receiving option if Smith misses another game.
Source: Brooks Kubena
Source: Brooks Kubena
Elijah Mitchell Likely the Lead RB if Teammate Can't Play Sunday
Philadelphia Eagles running back Elijah Mitchell signed with the team's practice squad just over a week ago and made his team debut against the Cowboys. He seems to be in position for a much larger role this week if Saquon Barkley (back, hamstring) is unable to play through his multiple injury issues. With Dameon Pierce (undisclosed) landing on the injured reserve along with Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley, and Carson Steele, the Eagles will be very short-handed in the backfield if Barkley is not able to carry the full workload. The team resigned Jaydon Blue to the active roster as well, but Mitchell is a much more established option and is expected to be the lead back. Mitchell appeared in 27 games for the 49ers across three seasons from 2021 through 2023, totaling 1,523 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 327 carries, but he had not gotten a carry or a target since the end of the 2023 season until last Sunday. He had three carries for 11 yards and three catches for 23 yards against Dallas in his return. Mitchell will have instant fantasy relevance if he is in a big role against the Commanders on Sunday Night Football this week, so watch Barkley's status closely in practice this week.
Source: Andrew DiCecco
Source: Andrew DiCecco
Elijah Mitchell Offers Stash Value as Next Man Up in Philly
Philadelphia Eagles running back Elijah Mitchell made his team debut during last week's loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He carried the ball three times for 11 yards, while hauling in three of his four targets for 23 additional yards through the air. Mitchell reverted to the practice squad on Tuesday, but he has a good chance of returning for the Week 8 matchup against the Washington Commanders. The Eagles are banged up with Saquon Barkley (hamstring, back) questionable right now, and three other backs on the Injured Reserve. There's a chance that Mitchell is the lead back or No. 2 option for this weekend. Fantasy managers in need of running back help in deep leagues should consider scooping up Mitchell.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Dontayvion Wicks is Absent from Wednesday's Walkthrough
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) was a non-participant during Wednesday's walkthrough, according to Zach Berman. Wicks sat out the Week 7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, and him being absent start of this week isn't a great start. The expectation is that he'll need to at least participate in a limited capacity to have a chance to play against the Washington Commanders in Week 8. The Eagles are banged up at wide receiver with DeVonta Smith (hamstring) absent during Wednesday's walkthrough as well. Makai Lemon could end up being the top wideout again. Fantasy managers will need to check back throughout the week for more updates on Wicks and Smith ahead of Sunday's game.
Source: Zach Berman
Source: Zach Berman
