Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is anticipated to sit out the team's final game of the season against the New York Giants, effectively ensuring that Eric Dickerson’s long-standing single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards remains safe for at least another year. As of now, Barkley has accumulated 2,005 rushing yards, placing him just 101 yards shy of breaking Dickerson's record, which was set during a 16-game season in 1984.

Despite his impressive season, which saw him become one of only nine NFL players to surpass the 2,000-yard mark, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni announced on Wednesday that Barkley will “probably” not participate in the Week 18 showdown. This decision is aimed at maintaining the health and fitness of the star player as the Eagles prepare for their playoff campaign. “It’s a very special record that’s been standing for a very long time by a great player,” Sirianni stated. “But at the end of the day, you just try to do what’s best for the team” ([CNN](https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/02/sport/saquon-barkley-eric-dickerson-rushing-record-spt/index.html)).

Barkley reflected on this decision, explaining that while he would have welcomed the opportunity to challenge the record, his priority remains the success of the team in the playoffs. “The most important thing is winning football games and winning in the playoffs. So, I’ve got a bigger goal in mind anyway,” Barkley explained. His father, Alibay, whose name would have been historically tied to the record, was reportedly more disappointed about the news than Barkley himself ([Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2025-01-02/saquon-barkley-eric-dickerson-rushing-record-eagles-giants)).

With the Eagles boasting a strong 14-2 record after defeating the Cowboys last week, the decision to rest key players makes strategic sense. This allows the team to prioritize health going into the playoffs, mitigating the risk of injury. Sirianni confirmed that multiple starters would be rested in the season finale, emphasizing the significance of team success over individual achievements.

Despite the possibility that Barkley may not break Dickerson's record, he has had a remarkable debut season with the Eagles, leading the league with 345 carries and 2,283 scrimmage yards. While Dickerson himself has expressed reluctance about seeing his record broken, acknowledging the significance of Barkley’s performance this season, he also noted, “He had 17 games to do it? Hey, football is football” ([Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2025-01-02/saquon-barkley-eric-dickerson-rushing-record-eagles-giants)).

As the Eagles focus on their playoff journey, it remains clear that Barkley will embrace whatever role contributes best to the success of his team.