Will Shipley (foot) done for the day vs. Jaguars

The Eagles’ running backs room continues to take hits. After losing Tank Bigsby (core) last week to a multi-week injury, the team is now preparing to be without Shipley for multiple weeks. Saquon Barkley, who missed Week 5 with a hamstring injury, could be back as early as Week 6 against the Panthers, but if he’s unable to play, the Eagles could be looking at Dameon Pierce and Jaydon Blue as their top two backs. Shipley totaled 13 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on six touches before going down yesterday.

Pierce “added” two catches for -2 yards. He took over as the Eagles’ lead back after Will Shipley went down with a foot injury in the first half. Carson Steele did not see the field for a single offensive snap. Pierce would presumably in line for a workhorse role in Week 6 if Shipley and Saquon Barkley are both out, but his efficiency today speaks for itself. This isn’t an offense capable of opening running lanes, nor is Pierce a back who can make a lot out of a little. Pierce is a low-priority waiver wire add for Week 6.

Shipley got stuffed on a carry in the second quarter and was checked out by trainers after the play. He went to the locker room after a brief trip to the blue medical tent. Dameon Pierce will be the next man up if Shipley’s day is over. Carson Steele is the only other back on the roster.

Barkley will likely be listed as a non-participant on today’s official injury report. He is unlikely to play in Week 5 against the Jaguars. Aside from Barkley, the Eagles have RBs Will Shipley and Dameon Pierce on the active roster. Shipley will probably lead the backfield in touches this week, but it could be a messy workload split.

The Eagles will drop their official injury report later today, but this can be chalked up as a DNP for Barkley. He was already considered week-to-week after suffering a hamstring injury on Sunday, so today’s DNP doesn’t come as a surprise. He is a long-shot to play in Week 5. With Tank Bigsby on IR, Will Shipley will lead the backfield versus Jacksonville. He profiles as a low-end RB3.

Pierce will probably operate as the team’s No. 2 back behind Will Shipley this week against the Jaguars, one of the league’s best rush defenses. Tank Bigsby and Saquon Barkley are sidelined, leaving the Eagles scraping bottom for backfield depth. Look for Pierce to get some early-down work against the Jaguars. Shipley, who had six carries for 23 yards last week, is the only viable fantasy option of the two, though head coach Nick Sirianni heaped praise on Pierce Wednesday. “He’s an NFL starting running back,” Sirriani said of Pierce. “Maybe wouldn’t have said that when he was on our practice squad publicly, because of the fear of losing him. But he’s an NFL starting running back.”

Rapoport reports there are hopes that Bigsby will be back “in six weeks or shorter.” The 24-year-old back will be required to miss at least four games now that he’s headed for an IR stint. With Saquon Barkley (hamstring) also at risk of missing at least one game, third-string RB Will Shipley could be in line for a busy day in Week 5 against the Jaguars. Shipley rushed six times for 23 yards in Sunday’s loss to the Rams, but could be a sneaky option in PPR leagues given his pass-catching profile during his days at Clemson, when he caught 85 passes over three seasons. It also wouldn’t be surprising if Dameon Pierce or Jaydon Blue were promoted off the practice squad and saw early down touches while Shipley serves in more of a third-down role. There’s a lot to figure out here over the next few days.

Shipley was the carries understudy to Tank Bigsby after Saquon Barkley suffered a hamstring injury on the game’s second series, though they played a near-even amount of snaps. Bigsby, who himself has been nursing an abdomen issue, was also banged up late. Needless to say, this is a backfield that is going to require many updates between now and Week 5. Hopefully we have a little clarity before waivers bids are due overnight Tuesday into Wednesday. Even if Bigsby is declared fine, Shipley is certainly worth an addition.

It’s a surprising twist after Shipley missed both of the first two practices of the week; he got in a full session today and seems likely to be more involved as a pass-catcher with DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert down. Even with that, he’ll struggle to find FLEX value against the Rams.

Shipley is unlikely to be meaningfully involved if he ends up being active on Sunday. The Eagles’ RB3 is firmly in the questionable camp though.