ESPN's Troy Aikman attempted to get ahead of running back Saquon Barkley's injury status before the Philadelphia Eagles star quickly returned with a touchdown rush
Troy Aikman
Troy Aikman inaccurately predicted Saquon Barkley's injury return on MNF(Image: Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Troy Aikman returned to the 'Monday Night Football' broadcast booth amid a symphony of rumors about his long-term future with ESPN. The 59-year-old will be a free agent after the season, but before then, he was at Lincoln Financial Field for Week 7's matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Aikman, who was seen talking to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones at nauseam pregame, made a quick prediction when he saw Eagles running back Saquon Barkley come up lame.
Barkley, the 2024 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, missed the last two weeks with a hamstring injury. He did so once again after a 29-yard first-quarter run.
READ MORE: Troy Aikman has fans concerned as 'bloodshot eyes' spotted on ESPN MNF broadcast
"Slight check of the hamstring; he might be done," Aikman remarked. "As soon as he had to avoid the one tackle, you could see it, and immediately his stride was broken up."
A play later, Barkley returned to the game. He capped off the Philadelphia drive with an explosive eight-yard touchdown run, causing Aikman to receive a flurry of comments from enraged Eagles fans online who were upset at his initial comment.
Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley touched the ball on 10 of his first 11 snaps against the Cowboys(Image: Getty Images)
View 2 Images
"Remember that time Troy Aikman said Saquon Barkley was probably done for the night and then he came back in and scored a touchdown?" one posted on X, mocking the former Cowboys quarterback.
"What in the actual hell is Troy Aikman talking about?" someone asked.
Aikman's play-by-play man, Joe Buck, earned a $105 million extension from ESPN in October, a deal reportedly discussed throughout the offseason. Aikman did not receive the offer he was looking for.
"So Troy Aikman says last you will see of Barkley after a long run. Quick opinion without facts, and next you know, Saquon runs for a TD. ESPN probably made the right move with him," a cruel fan tweeted.
"Troy Aikman: 'Oh yeah, Saquon Barkley’s done for the night after that hit to his leg,' Saquon scores on the very next play. Dude is all-time bad at his job," a different one wrote.
Aikman made a similar comment about Mike Evans in last week's Washington Commanders-San Francisco 49ers game. "Last week with Mike Evans, he said, 'Evans will be back,' and he was ruled out moments later. Let’s stop making instant predictions regarding injuries, Troy," a fan posted.
Barkley finished the first quarter with three rushes for 47 yards and a score. By halftime, he logged six carries, though backup Dameon Pierce had seven, perhaps a tell on Barkley's health (he did have two targets).