It has been a rough start to the 2026 NFL season for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles have lost three of their first five games and the path forward is not going to get any easier. They are without quarterback Jalen Hurts for the time being as he manages a blood clot, and he is out for Week 6’s matchup with the Carolina Panthers.
He is not the only regular down though. Both running back Saquon Barkley and wide receiver DeVonta Smith did not play last week, both dealing with hamstring injuries. Their absences have been deeply felt.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, it does not appear either player will be back this week, though that could change.
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During Thursday’s practice neither Barkley nor Smith was seen participating, per Tim McManus of ESPN. This marks the second straight DNP for Barkley, which puts his status in serious doubt with Sunday getting closer.
Barkley is not the only running back down for Philadelphia either. Both his backup Tank Bigsby and third-string option Will Shipley are also dealing with injuries, leaving the Eagles to potentially lean on Dameon Pierce as the lead back after he was signed off the practice squad.
With so many running backs going down, Philadelphia needed to replenish their depth. The team did just that on Thursday, announcing on X that they signed Ian Wheeler to the practice squad.
Wheeler has had an interesting journey. He has mostly bounced around practice squads, including this year when he was with the Buffalo Bills before being cut in August. He has played in games recently in the UFL though, helping the Louisville Kings win a UFL title.
Wheeler will have some competition before any potential elevation, as Carson Steele is also on the depth chart ahead of him, but the opportunity is there given the circumstances.
