Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley may be jockeying for the NFL's rushing title (and perhaps regular season awards), but that doesn't stop Henry from applauding his fellow star running back.
Barkley ran for 255 yards on "Sunday Night Football" against the Los Angeles Rams, the most rushing yards in a game by a player in Philadelphia Eagles history.
Henry, who is also in Los Angeles waiting for his turn at SoFi Stadium, was watching.
Barkley's big game, which featured 70- and 72-yard touchdown runs, was the ninth-most rushing yards in a game in league history. Adrian Peterson still holds the record with 296 yards (2007) and former Raven Jamal Lewis is No. 2 with 295 yards (2003).
Barkley is the NFL's rushing leader with 1,392 yards so far this season, one spot ahead of Henry, who has 1,185 yards. They've both played 11 games.
Henry will have a chance to re-take the lead on "Monday Night Football" in the same building against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The two running backs are both in the running for MVP and/or Offensive Player of the Year, but Henry said last week that he roots for all running backs – especially ones that have proven their value after switching teams in free agency this past offseason.
"They're franchise players; they're showing that, they're proving that week after week," Henry said. "And hopefully, they'll open doors for the future and other running backs that are coming up in free agency to get an opportunity to get paid, as well."
Henry and Barkley will go head-to-head (sort of) next Sunday as the Eagles travel to M&T Bank Stadium.
"It's good to go against other great players, especially at our position, guys who are franchise players, making a big impact," Henry said. "That's the cool thing about it – just going against guys that you want to see do well, except when they play us."
