Eagles' Running Back Room Collapses as Shipley Suffers Plantar Fascia Tear

Key points

• Will Shipley suffered a partial tear of his plantar fascia in the second quarter of the Eagles' Week 5 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
• ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Shipley will miss multiple weeks, though it is unclear if he will be placed on Injured Reserve.
• The Eagles are currently down to two active running backs: Dameon Pierce and Carson Steele, both of whom were recently promoted from the practice squad.
• Saquon Barkley is out with a hamstring injury, and Tank Bigsby is on Injured Reserve following core muscle surgery.
• The Eagles recorded only 22 rushing yards on 18 carries in their London game, their worst rushing performance since 2015.

Background

The Eagles have faced a series of offensive injuries this season, including the retirement of veteran offensive lineman Lane Johnson and the trade of Cam Jurgens. The team is also dealing with injuries to wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Marquise Brown, as well as tight end Dallas Goedert. This is the Eagles' first season under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.

How outlets are covering it

NBC Sports Philadelphia and CBS Sports emphasize the severity of the injury and the resulting lack of depth, noting that the Eagles are relying on practice squad promotions. The New York Post highlights the broader context of the team's struggles, including a poor clock management decision that cost them the game in London. All sources agree that the running back situation is dire, with Pierce and Steele being the only viable options on the active roster.

Why it matters

The loss of Shipley severely limits the Eagles' offensive options and could impact their ability to compete in the NFC East. The team's rushing attack has been inconsistent, and the lack of depth at running back could force them to rely more heavily on their passing game, which has also struggled this season.

What to watch

The Eagles will face the Carolina Panthers in Week 6, followed by the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7. Saquon Barkley could return as early as Week 6, but his status is uncertain. The team will need to determine if Pierce or Steele can handle a larger workload in the absence of their primary running backs.