Eagles rule out DeVonta Smith for Sunday night as Barkley gets cleared

The Philadelphia Eagles ruled out wide receiver DeVonta Smith for Sunday night's game against the Washington Commanders. Smith has a hamstring injury and is listed as out on the team's Friday injury report, which also clears running back Saquon Barkley to play with no designation.

What is confirmed

The Eagles' Friday report, released Friday afternoon, lists Smith out with a hamstring injury. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network noted that Smith is out again. Wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks is also listed out with an ankle injury.

Barkley, who had been dealing with hamstring and back issues, carries no injury designation. He did not practice earlier in the week, which left his Sunday status in doubt as recently as Thursday. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network relayed that Barkley said he never thought the back injury would keep him out, even after playing through it on a short week.

What it means for the Eagles

Philadelphia is 2-5 after Monday night's 38-21 loss to Dallas, and the offense now goes into a division game without one of its top two wideouts. With Smith and Wicks both out, more targets should flow to the receivers who are active and to the tight ends. Barkley's return to a full workload is the bigger swing for this offense, since the run game is where the Eagles can control the clock without Smith.

What RSO owners should do now

Take Smith out of your lineup for Week 8. In contract leagues, this is a short-term absence, not a reason to cut or move a player on a long deal. Hold him and plan around one more week without him.

Start Barkley with normal confidence. He is off the injury report, and the team has given no sign of a reduced role. If you added a handcuff during the week as insurance, you can hold that player through Sunday, but you don't need to start him.

Wicks owners should look elsewhere for a flex option this week.

What to watch next

Watch Barkley's snap share and carries on Sunday night, since he is playing through two injuries. Then watch the first injury report next week to see whether Smith returns to practice. A limited session would be the first real sign he is on track for Week 9.