Eagles rule out RB Saquon Barkley (hamstring)

Barkley is firmly on the wrong side of questionable for his team’s Week 6 game against the Panthers, potentially leaving Dameon Pierce, Carson Steele and practice squad player Jaydon Blue to split touches. Hopefully, reports clarify whether Pierce would handle a sizable workload as the de facto starter.

Technically, a limited session is possible, but we expect to see Barkley listed as a non-participant since he skipped warmups. Barkley still has a chance to face the Panthers this week, but ideally, he would be out there right now, beginning his ramp-up period. Eagles RBs Dameon Pierce and Carson Steelers are on the active roster, while RB Jaydon Blue currently sits on the practice squad.

Sirianni was asked about both Barkley and DeVonta Smith, who is also dealing with a hamstring injury. Sirianni didn’t commit to either player practicing this week, but we’ll see how things look on Wednesday when the Eagles release their first injury report. Philly suddenly finds itself in desperate need of help at running back after Tank Bigsby (core) was placed on IR last week and Will Shipley (foot) was diagnosed with a partial tear in his plantar fascia that’s expected to sideline him for several weeks. If Barkley is unable to play in Week 6, Dameon Pierce and Jaydon Blue would be next in line to lead the Eagles’ banged up backfield.

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 suffered the foot injury in the second quarter and was initially listed as questionable to return. He will now miss the remainder of the contest. Dameon Pierce is the only other running back on the roster with a touch today. Carson Steele is also active.

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.

With Barkley ruled out and Tank Bigsby (core) on injured reserve, the Eagles will officially go with Will Shipley and Dameon Pierce as their top two backs. Shipley feels like a safe bet to serve as the team’s primary pass-catching back, but whether or not he sees the majority of rush attempts is to be determined. It wouldn’t be surprising if Pierce, who profiles as more of an early-down grinder than Shipley, leads the Eagles’ backfield in carries this week, but fantasy managers shouldn’t rush to add him to their lineups. Shipley will likely fall somewhere in the RB2 rankings this week, while Pierce is nothing more than a stash at the end of fantasy benches.

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.”