Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley sat out of uniform during Saturday’s preseason opener at Baltimore, missing the team’s first exhibition action of the summer alongside several teammates. While the veteran offensive weapon watched from the sideline, local law enforcement and prosecutors were simultaneously handling an active criminal investigation following a home invasion at his property in Chester County earlier that morning.
As head coach Nick Sirianni’s squad took the field at M&T Bank Stadium, state and local authorities in Pennsylvania were urging the public to come forward with security footage and tips regarding an early-morning burglary at the athlete’s residence.
Preseason Siting and Roster Context
Barkley was not dressed for Saturday’s preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, as reported by Brooks Kubena of The Athletic. The star running back was joined on the inactive list by wide receivers DeVonta Smith (hamstring), Makai Lemon (hamstring), and Johnny Wilson, though most other key offensive skill-position players were available for the matchup.
With Barkley resting on the sideline, the Eagles turned to a backfield featuring healthy options Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley, Carson Steele, and Ja’Quinden Jackson. The preseason absence comes as Barkley prepares for the upcoming schedule following a 2025 campaign where he compiled 1,413 yards from scrimmage and nine total touchdowns across 317 touches in 16 regular-season appearances.
Barkley remains a central pillar of the Philadelphia offense, having previously powered the franchise to a dominant Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans during the 2024 season. Across 106 regular-season appearances over his career, the three-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro has rushed for 8,356 yards and 55 touchdowns.
Home Invasion Investigation in Chester County
Hours before kickoff, Barkley’s private life drew urgent attention when police announced that his property in the Malvern section of Tredyffrin Township, Chester County, had been targeted in a break-in. According to information shared by Brendon Brightman of NBC Philadelphia, the incident occurred at approximately 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, with suspects fleeing the scene before local officers arrived.
The Chester County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Barkley, his fiancée Anna Congdon, and their two children—eight-year-old daughter Jada and three-year-old son Saquon Jr.—were inside the home at the time of the invasion. Fortunately, officials verified that no one was injured during the break-in.
Investigators believe at least one suspect entered the residence. Authorities are actively searching for a large white SUV believed to be connected to the crime, though police emphasized that multiple vehicles may have been involved. Captain Tyler Moyer of the Tredyffrin Township Police Department noted, “We know there’s more than one, but we’re still trying to determine how many were involved.”
Appeal for Public Assistance
It remains undetermined whether the intruders managed to steal any items from the property prior to their escape. Law enforcement agencies have asked residents in the surrounding neighborhood to review home security systems and dashcam footage for any unusual activity around the 5:00 a.m. hour.
The District Attorney’s Office released a public appeal stating, “We are asking the public to help us identify those responsible by checking any home security cameras for suspicious activity in the area around 5:00am. If you saw anything unusual or have video that may assist investigators, please contact the Tredyffrin Township Police Department immediately.”
As the investigation continues, the Eagles organization has not released additional comments regarding Barkley’s status beyond standard preseason roster management. Team personnel and law enforcement officials ask anyone with relevant information about the Chester County burglary to contact local authorities immediately as inquiries progress.
