Jaguars get unexpected boost before London showdown

The Jacksonville Jaguars may have received an unexpected advantage ahead of their upcoming London showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Philadelphia is dealing with significant injury problems at running back just days before facing Jacksonville at Wembley Stadium.

Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley is considered week-to-week with a hamstring injury, putting his availability for Sunday’s game against the Jaguars in question.

Barkley suffered the injury early in Philadelphia’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams and was forced to leave the game.

The good news for Philadelphia is that the injury is not currently considered a long-term problem. However, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has not confirmed whether Barkley will be able to play in London.

And Philadelphia’s problems don’t stop there.

Backup running back Tank Bigsby suffered a core muscle injury and is headed to injured reserve. Bigsby is expected to undergo surgery, with the Eagles hoping he can return within approximately six weeks.

That leaves Philadelphia extremely thin at running back.

Will Shipley is currently the only healthy running back on the Eagles’ active roster, although Philadelphia has additional options available to reinforce the position.

The timing could benefit Jacksonville.

The Jaguars enter the London matchup with a 3–1 record, while Philadelphia is 2–2 after losing its last two games.

Philadelphia is also taking an unusual approach to its trip overseas. The Eagles plan to remain in Philadelphia until Friday, fly approximately seven hours to England and arrive Saturday morning — only one day before Sunday’s game.

Sirianni said the team considered several options before deciding that the shorter London stay gave Philadelphia its best chance to win.

The Eagles will then return to the United States immediately after the game.

Jacksonville and Philadelphia are scheduled to play Sunday, October 11 at 9:30 a.m. ET in London.

Barkley’s status will be one of the biggest developments to watch this week.

If the Eagles are forced to play without their star running back — while Bigsby is already sidelined — the Jaguars could enter their London showdown with an unexpected advantage.