Cowboys Vs. Eagles Injury Update: Is Saquon Barkley Playing On 'MNF'?

Reports late in the week have said that Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley has returned to the practice field and is expected to play in the upcoming Monday Night Football affair with the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field.

That update has not come as a surprise to Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer, as he alerted reporters that his team has prepared for the likelihood that Barkley returns after missing the last two weeks with a hamstring injury.

In that time, the Eagles have fallen under scrutiny for their handling of quarterback Jalen Hurts' blood clot in his calf. After getting initial tests on the injury before being ruled to play in London after flying over the Atlantic and back, Hurts' health has taken a step back.

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Hurts' blood clots had moved to his lungs, and he is now out for the season as he is prescribed blood thinners. The situation makes Barkley's return significant for the matchup between two 2-4 teams jostling in the underperforming NFC East.

"It's super important to get back in that win column," Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams said to reporters this week. "I play this game to win. It's a great opportunity to build on what we need to build on as a defense unit and as a team, and I'm grateful for the next opportunity."

Barkley looks to improve an Eagles rushing attack that has been limited to less than 35 yards in back-to-back games, both losses for Philadelphia.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, showed defensive improvements in the second half of last Sunday night's game, but ultimately fell 23-13 in Lambeau to the Green Bay Packers. Dallas only gave up 57 rushing yards, a season low, though the Packers are playing without starter Josh Jacobs.

"We're focusing on development, getting better and not making the same mistakes that we've been making; and learning from our mistakes to take advantage of the opportunities for when we have the time to rush." Williams said. "We're getting to do the things we want to do, especially me and [tackle Kenny Clark] as a unit."

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Williams and Clark each recorded a sack toward Dallas total of three against the Packers.

Still, Williams' expects more. His expectations for growth will be put to the test with Barkley lining up on the other side.

"Right now, we've got a lot of things we need to fix, especially on the defensive side," Williams said. "I haven't been playing to the standard that I wanna be able to play at, to be a game-changer. All of that stuff is in the front of my mind. … My standard is really high. I'm on the right trajectory and the right direction to how I know I can play, but it's about setting the standard for not only me, but for the defense in general.

"… The ability we have as a unit, we can achieve those [goals]. We haven't achieved those yet, but we have the ability to - the coaching staff and the players - to achieve the goals we want to achieve. We've just gotta continue to put our heads down and work."