Saquon Barkley

Saquon Barkley

Saquon Rasul Quevis Barkley (born February 9, 1997) is an American professional football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, where he set several school records for his offensive production over three seasons before forgoing his senior year to enter the NFL.

Barkley was selected second overall by the New York Giants in the 2018 NFL draft, setting several NFL and team records en route to making the 2018 Pro Bowl and being named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He confronted injuries in the 2020 season, but was again named to the Pro Bowl in 2022. A free agent following the 2023 season, Barkley signed a three-year deal with the Eagles, setting numerous franchise records and rushing for over 2,000 yards in his first season with the team, along with helping Philadelphia reach Super Bowl LIX and being named AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

The ACL injury

Running back Saquon Barkley touched the football just 25 times before his 2020 season ended because of a torn right anterior cruciate ligament that will force him to undergo surgery and endure an arduous rehabilitation. Saquon Barkley suffered going down on the Soldier Field turf with his season over in Week 2.

“When I hurt my knee, I’m not going to lie, that’s probably the weakest moment of my life, especially in those first few days,” Barkley said, via NJ.com. “I just couldn’t control myself crying, asking ‘Why me? Why me? Why me?”

Obviously, there was nothing positive about the catastrophic knee injury — torn ACL, partially torn meniscus and sprained MCL — Giants running back Saquon Barkley suffered Sept. 20. 2020. The major knee injury in his right knee on a seemingly harmless tackle in a loss to the Chicago Bears has ended Saquon Barkley’s season.

Barkley was hurt near the Chicago sideline after trying to fend off Bears safety Eddie Jackson on a 6-yard carry early in the second quarter. The No. 2 overall draft choice in 2018 dragged his right leg behind him as he was helped back across the field to the Giants sideline. After a short conversation with trainers, he left the field on a cart. The 23-year-old also seemed to be shaken up after he was tackled at the end of an 18-yard run late in the opening quarter, but he quickly re-entered the game.

Barkley had his best season as a rookie. He carried 261 times for 1,307 yards and caught 91 passes for another 721. He scored 15 touchdowns, including 11 on the ground.

“Saquon is a tremendous player and we have even more respect for him as a person. I personally hated (this) for as hard as he has worked and as much of an impact he has on this team. This is a young guy who is very physically gifted. There are good doctors out there and he is going to get the very best medical treatment,” Judge said.