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Eagles' running back depth takes another hit with reported Will Shipley foot injury

With Saquon Barkley's status still in question for Week 6 against Carolina, the Eagles could turn to Dameon Pierce for his first NFL start since 2023.

The Eagles will need a new starter at running back after Will Shipley was lost Sunday with a reported torn plantar fascia that will cost him multiple games.
The Eagles will need a new starter at running back after Will Shipley was lost Sunday with a reported torn plantar fascia that will cost him multiple games. Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer

The hits to the running back corps keep on coming for the Eagles.

Third-string back Will Shipley entered Sunday’s game as the starter with Saquon Barkley (hamstring) sidelined and Tank Bigsby (core muscle) on injured reserve. But Shipley had just five carries before leaving the game in the first half.

According to ESPN, Shipley suffered a partial tear of his plantar fascia and could be out for “multiple weeks.”

It’s unclear if Barkley will be ready to return for the team’s Week 6 home game vs. Carolina. The Eagles have two other backs on the active roster: Dameon Pierce and Carson Steele. They also have Jaydon Blue on the practice squad.

The Eagles had their worst rushing performance in more than 11 years on Sunday. They tallied just 22 yards on 18 carries.

Barkley is considered week-to-week and his status for Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers will likely remain in question after he sustained a hamstring injury early in Week 4 against the Rams.

Bigsby, who was placed on injured reserve after being hurt late in the same game, will miss at least three more games.

Shipley scored his first career regular season rushing touchdown in Sunday’s 19-17 loss to the Jaguars but rushed for just 6 yards on 5 carries. He also had a 7-yard reception.

Pierce was the Eagles’ primary backfield contributor after Shipley exited, managing 14 yards on 11 carries. The 26-year-old Pierce last started an NFL game in 2023 as a member of the Houston Texans.

Steele was signed from the Eagles’ practice squad in advance of Sunday’s game, and played 20 snaps on special teams in his first appearance as an Eagle. Steele logged 56 carries for 183 yards and caught 7 passes as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024.

Blue had 38 carries for 129 yards and a touchdown as a member of the Dallas Cowboys last season.

Eagles GM Howie Roseman could hit the trade market or bring in a free agent. There are some notable options available in free agency, including former Eagle Miles Sanders, Kareem Hunt, and Joe Mixon, who was set to sign with Seattle last week but did not pass a physical.

Roseman also could scan practice squads around the league to poach someone to the active roster for Week 6 if needed.

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