Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley told reporters Friday that he will play on Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears despite a stinger injury.
Barkley left last week's win over the Tennessee Titans after taking a hit on Philly's first offensive drive. The star rusher went to the locker room before returning in the third quarter. However, he didn't play much in the second half and only recorded one touch in the fourth quarter.
The 29-year-old underwent an MRI to confirm there was no significant damage, and he was listed as a full participant in Friday's practice. Barkley will wear a neck roll for extra protection against Chicago and doesn't believe the ailment will affect his performance.
"That's why I'm rehabbing my ass off to get as strong as it needs to be," Barkley said, according to The Athletic's Zach Berman. "I feel like I'm in a really good spot. I know that they wouldn't let me go out there if I wasn't able to do it. … I'm gonna go out there and play fearless."
Barkley has carried the ball 19 times for 92 yards this season and has recorded just one gain over 10 yards. Seven of his attempts have gone for one yard or a negative gain, and the Eagles' ground attack ranks 28th in success rate, according to Ben Baldwin's database.
"It's not a finished product, and we don't want it to be a finished product in Week 2, Week 3," Barkley said of Philly's run game.
He added, "I know that the results will come, and when we get this thing rolling, it's going to be something scary."
Case Keenum is taking starting quarterback reps at practice for the Bears this week after Caleb Williams suffered a hamstring injury in Week 2. Tyson Bagent, Williams' primary backup, is sidelined due to a concussion. The final injury report for Monday's game will be released Saturday.
