Nobody really saw it coming in Philly that the Eagles will have to play without their star QB Jalen Hurts for their last few regular season games this year. But circumstances have led to the Eagles throwing their hopes on their backup QB, Kenny Pickett. As he prepares for the Cowboys challenge on Sunday, their running back Saquon Barkley has pointed out something that might hurt the Eagles running game this week.

After carrying the football for a season-high 29 times last week, Barkley has concerns about whether they can replicate the same under Pickett. Opening up on how he will miss Hurts’ dual-threat capabilities, Barkley said, “I don’t want to discredit anything from Jalen — he’s a threat, that’s what makes him special. Not only the way he’s able to throw the football. But also the way he’s able to run the football. Not many guys are able to run the football like him. So, it definitely changes things.”

Now, how much it will change can only be figured out after Sunday. Besides praising Hurts’ qualities as a QB, Barkley didn’t forget to praise his backup QB by pointing out a secret quality in him, “But Kenny’s got a little run to him. I remember in college, he had a fake slide. We’ve seen flashes of it.” However, the thing is that whatever Pickett produces on the ground this week might fail to impress anyone who has witnessed Hurts running this season.

Before heading out last week, Hurts had 630 rushing yards to his name. And what makes his presence on the gridiron more important is that Hurts has equally contributed with his rushing TDs. On 150 carries, Hurts has scored 14 rushing TDs, which is difficult for anyone to replicate in Philly. But the thing is that the Eagles don’t really have an option left other than starting Kenny Pickett. As Hurts remains questionable before Sunday’s clash against the Cowboys.

Nick Sirianni issues a concerning update on Jalen Hurts availability

When Hurts missed Thursday’s practice, there were already warning signs that he might not make it in time to face the Cowboys. And that inevitable news was confirmed by Nick Sirianni on Friday, “It’s going to be tough for him to make it.” He would surely be a huge absence for the Phillies because of the way he has played all season. Before his injury in Washington, Hurts completed 68.7% of his passes. Hurts still ranks among the top 20 QBs in the league for his 2,903 passing yards. His 18 TDs on the air and only 5 interceptions only prove what the Eagles will miss out on Sunday.

Now, without Hurts, they have a lifelong Eagles fan in Kenny Pickett, who will start his first game this year. He will have his family from New Jersey visiting him in Philly to watch him lead the Eagles on the gridiron, “I’ve got a lot of family coming. It’s surreal feeling having this opportunity. I’m doing everything I can to be prepared and ready for it and I’m excited.”

This takes us to our biggest question before Sunday’s clash. Whether he will be able to help the Eagles wrap up their NFC East against fellow divisional rivals, the Cowboys. If he manages to do that via a strong performance under center, then who knows? The Eagles Nation will probably remember his contribution for a long time.