Dameon

Pierce

Pierce was released by the Eagles after agreeing to an injury settlement on Friday. He’s currently still dealing with what Wilson described as a “relatively minor” hamstring injury. Wilson lists the Dolphins, Jaguars, Panthers, Ravens, 49ers, Cardinals and Titans as teams that have contracted Pierce, who is rehabbing in Houston. Expected to be ready in 2-3 weeks, Pierce could catch on with another team soon, though it’s unlikely to be in a starting role.

Jaydon Blue was signed from their practice squad to the active roster in a corresponding move. Pierce went down with an injury on a kickoff return in the fourth quarter of Monday’s game. The team has not announced the exact injury yet, but Pierce will now miss a minimum of four games. Blue will back up a still-very-injured Saquon Barkley. Barkley returned from his hamstring injury in Week 7, only to suffer a back injury in the process. Blue has an outside chance at starting for the Eagles this week, making him worth a look on waivers.

Pierce was injured on a kickoff return in the fourth quarter and was taken to the locker room almost immediately following the ailment. No word on the nature of the injury, but Pierce would appear to be on the wrong side of questionable to return considering there is less than six minutes remaining to play in the fourth quarter. Saquon Barkley was previously deemed questionable to return with a back injury, leaving Elijah Mitchell to fill in for the remainder of the game. Pierce rushed 14 times for 47 yards and a touchdown prior to departing, adding one yard on one reception.

With Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, and Will Shipley all hurt, and Carson Steele getting injured early in this game, Pierce took every single carry for the Eagles on Sunday. He also played on 61 of the team’s 64 snaps. However, that wasn’t able to amount to much on the ground with all of Philadelphia’s injuries. Pierce was also asked to pass block a lot, which means he only ran a route on 15 of the team’s 52 dropbacks. That’s going to limit his fantasy value, and he looks like a TD-dependent FLEX play while he remains the starter. The upside is that there doesn’t seem to be anybody coming for his job until Barkley (hamstring) returns.

It was pretty clear that this was where things were headed when Barkley was unable to practice on Wednesday and Thursday. We do not yet know Barkley’s official Friday practice participation level, but he was not seen practicing during the portion of practice open to the media. Dameon Pierce, Carson Steele and practice squad player Jaydon Blue will likely split touches this week.

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.

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.

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.