Eagles Place Tank Bigsby on IR After Core Muscle Surgery

Key points

• Tank Bigsby is set to undergo core muscle surgery and is expected to return in six weeks or less, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
• Bigsby's injury worsened during the Eagles' Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, where he saw increased playing time after Saquon Barkley suffered a hamstring injury early in the game.
• Saquon Barkley's status for the Week 5 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London is currently to be determined, as head coach Nick Sirianni indicated an update would be provided by Wednesday.
• If both Bigsby and Barkley are unavailable, Will Shipley will be the only running back on the active roster, though he has also appeared on the injury report in recent weeks.
• The Eagles have three running backs on their practice squad: Dameon Pierce, Carson Steele, and Jaydon Blue, with Pierce considered the most likely candidate to be signed to the active roster.

Background

The Eagles have faced significant offensive line and skill position injuries this season, including the Week 1 placement of left guard Landon Dickerson on injured reserve with a knee injury. Barkley also exited with a stinger in Week 2 against the Titans, leading to increased carries for Bigsby and Shipley. The team is currently 2-2 following a defensive collapse against the Rams, and the accumulation of injuries has raised concerns about the overall offensive outlook.

How outlets are covering it

Bleeding Green Nation and NBC Sports both confirm that Tank Bigsby will undergo core muscle surgery and is expected to miss around six weeks, citing NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Both outlets note that Bigsby's injury worsened during the Week 4 loss to the Rams, where he saw increased playing time due to Saquon Barkley's hamstring injury. Bleeding Green Nation emphasizes the potential for the Eagles to be without their top two running backs for the Week 5 game against the Jaguars, while NBC Sports highlights that Barkley's status for that game is to be determined. Both outlets agree that Will Shipley is the only other running back on the active roster and that the Eagles have three running backs on their practice squad: Dameon Pierce, Carson Steele, and Jaydon Blue. Bleeding Green Nation suggests Pierce is the most likely candidate to be signed to the active roster, while NBC Sports does not specify which practice squad player is most likely to be elevated.

Why it matters

The loss of Tank Bigsby to injured reserve, combined with the uncertainty surrounding Saquon Barkley's hamstring injury, significantly impacts the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive capabilities. With only Will Shipley as the only other running back on the active roster, the Eagles may need to rely on practice squad players or adjust their offensive strategy. This could affect the team's performance in the upcoming Week 5 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London and potentially their overall season trajectory, especially given their current 2-2 record and recent defensive struggles.

What to watch

The Eagles will provide an update on Saquon Barkley's status for the Week 5 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars by Wednesday. If Barkley is unavailable, the team may elevate a running back from the practice squad, with Dameon Pierce considered the most likely candidate. Tank Bigsby is expected to return in six weeks or less following core muscle surgery. The Eagles will also need to address their offensive line and other injury concerns as they prepare for the upcoming game in London.