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Saquon Barkley slips on first attempt in Eagles debut, turns it around for touchdown for Philadelphia in Brazil
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Saquon Barkley slips on first attempt in Eagles debut, turns it around for touchdown for Philadelphia in Brazil

The Saquon Barkley era started with a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but he got back up and scored a key touchdown.

When the Eagles offense took the field for their first possession of the season against the Green Bay Packers on Friday night in Brazil, the plan was to give Barkley the first possession of the game on a toss play.

But when Barkley caught the toss, he immediately slipped and fell, losing 5 yards.

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Saquon Barkley warms up

Running back Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up before a game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday, September 6, 2024 at Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo. (AP photo/Doug Benc)

Barkley’s slip set the tone early for the Eagles’ offense. On the next play, Hurts threw an incomplete pass. On third down, he threw an interception, setting up a Packers field goal.

On Philadelphia’s next drive, Barkley had another chance for a carry, but gained only three yards. Two plays later, the Eagles gave the ball away again on a fumbled snap, setting up another field goal.

Barkley redeemed himself, however, on the team’s third drive of the game, when he caught an 18-yard touchdown to give the Eagles a 7-6 lead and their first trip to the end zone of the 2024 season.

Although the Eagles are playing on unfamiliar ground, as they will be playing the match at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the field surface is exactly what they are used to.

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Jalen Hurts passes

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts throws a pass against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of a game on Friday, September 6, 2024 at Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo. (AP photo/Gregory Payan)

The playing field at Corinthians Arena uses GrassMaster, a product that combines perennial ryegrass with artificial fibres. It is essentially a fancy version of real grass mixed with elements of turf fibres, as opposed to using strictly turf.

The two stadiums in the NFL that use the same material for their playing fields are Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Eagles, and Lambeau Field, home of the Packers.

For Barkley, it’s not a surface he’s used to on his home field, but he might as well get used to it.

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Saquon Barkley slips

Running back Saquon Barkley (26) of the Philadelphia Eagles is tackled by linebacker Eric Wilson (45) of the Green Bay Packers during the first half of a game on Friday, September 6, 2024 at Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo. (AP photo/Gregory Payan)

Barkley signed with the Eagles in free agency after six seasons with the rival New York Giants. Barkley signed a three-year, $37.75 million contract to join the Eagles, who have a cap average annual salary of $15.833 million, the second-highest for a running back in NFL history. He and the Giants were unable to reach an agreement on a contract for a second consecutive offseason after the Giants franchise tagged Barkley for the 2023 offseason.

Barkley, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Penn State, rushed for 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns in his six seasons with the Giants. He also had 288 receptions for 2,100 yards and 12 touchdowns.

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