Dec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) walks from the tunnel for a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Eagles undecided on Saquon Barkley’s record pursuit

The status of Saquon Barkley’s pursuit of the NFL single-season rushing record remains up in the air.

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’s regular season finale against his old team, the New York Giants, at Lincoln Financial Field.

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.

Barkley, 27, needs 101 yards to break Eric Dickerson’s 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’s 41-7 rout of the Dallas Cowboys when his 167 yards made him the ninth player in NFL history to reach 2,000.

“I’ll talk to our staff, I’ll talk to the players, I’ll talk to (general manager) Howie (Roseman), I’ll talk to (owner) Mr. (Jeffrey) Lurie. I’ll talk to everybody to try and make sure that I’m making the best decision for the football team,” Sirianni said Tuesday.

Sirianni’s 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.

There is a precedent for playing Barkley. In the Eagles’ 2021 season finale against Dallas, Sirianni rested several key players but gave wideout DeVonta Smith a chance to break the franchise’s rookie receiving record held by DeSean Jackson. Smith had 41 yards to finish with 916, topping Jackson’s 2018 total of 912.

“If 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 — whatever it was — we didn’t play some other guys in that game, but we went and got him that record,” Sirianni said. “Every situation is a little different. Not saying one way or the other or how that’s going to play out or even that I made a decision yet.”

Barkley told reporters on Sunday that he will respect Sirianni’s wishes.

“Whatever his decision is, I’m all for it,” Barkley said. “If his mindset is, we’ll go out there and try it, I’ll go out there and try it. If his mindset is, let’s rest and get ready for this run, I’m 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.”

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).

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles lineman Landon Dickerson (69) against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles G Landon Dickerson gets record 4-year extension

The Philadelphia Eagles signed Landon Dickerson to a four-year extension Monday that reportedly makes him the highest-paid guard in NFL history.

NFL Network and ESPN said the two-time Pro Bowl left guard’s deal is worth $84 million and includes $50 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus.

Dickerson’s average annual salary of $21 million would exceed the $20.5 million earned by Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom.

Terms were not officially disclosed by the Eagles, which rushed to lock up an important member of their offensive line following last week’s retirement of center Jason Kelce.

“Not Going ANYWHERE!” tweeted Dickerson, who was entering the final season of his rookie contract.

Dickerson, 25, made the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2023 and has started 46 of his 47 games since Philadelphia drafted him in the second round in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Oct 22, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;  Philadelphia Eagles guard Landon Dickerson (69) against the Miami Dolphins at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Eagles G Landon Dickerson out after thumb surgery

Eagles guard Landon Dickerson is out after undergoing thumb surgery on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.

Dickerson is expected to miss this week’s game against the New York Giants before being evaluated with a chance to return for the New Year’s Eve matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

Dickerson, 25, has been a mainstay at guard since being selected in the second round of the 2021 draft out of Alabama. He started the first 14 games this season.

A Pro Bowl selection last season, Dickerson started all 17 games in the regular season and through the Super Bowl for the Eagles. Cumulatively over the past two seasons he played more than 96 percent of the offensive snaps for Philadelphia.

Rookie third-round pick Tyler Steen, another Alabama product, is the primary backup at both guard positions.

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2021; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of an Oregon Ducks helmet during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Four-star CB Avante Dickerson bolts for Oregon

Four-star cornerback Avante Dickerson decommitted from Minnesota and is headed to Oregon, he announced Wednesday on Signing Day.

Dickerson had a national TV audience looking on at a live feed from Omaha Westside High School as he declared he’s joining the Ducks.

Some pundits put him as a likely signee with home-state Nebraska after Dickerson decided to break his verbal commitment to Minnesota. He is the top-rated player from the state in the class of 2021.

The 6-foot, 170-pound defensive back has a four-star rating by most recruiting services. He’s ranked No. 8 among cornerbacks in the 247Sports composite.

Dickerson had four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, 11 offensive touchdowns and four scores on special teams to help Westside win its first state title in 38 years.

Oregon was able to land all 21 verbal commitments during the December signing period.

Dickerson should help offset significant personnel losses in the secondary for the Ducks.

He’ll also join 2020 five-star cornerback Dontae Manning in what has the makings of another strong group.

–Field Level Media