The Philadelphia Eagles lost running back Saquon Barkley to a hamstring injury early in their Week 5 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, a blow that immediately thrust backups Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley into more prominent roles. Barkley, who had already missed significant time earlier this season due to a stinger in Week 2, left the field limping, and the team has yet to confirm his status for their upcoming game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
With Barkley sidelined, Bigsby and Shipley shared the backfield workload. Bigsby carried the ball 14 times for 55 yards, taking the bulk of the rushing attempts, while Shipley handled six carries for 23 yards, including goal-line opportunities. Both backs saw limited action in the passing game, each recording just one target. Fantasy football managers should expect a similar split if Barkley cannot suit up for Week 5, with Bigsby likely to command more carries and Shipley providing relief, especially in deeper leagues.
Saquon Barkley’s slow start to the season has raised questions about his consistency. Besides his hamstring injury, he was knocked out early in Week 2 due to a neck stinger. This marks the second game where Barkley was forced off or hampered by injury, limiting his effectiveness and pushing the Eagles to rely on their backups more heavily. The team’s running game suffered in the 30-23 defeat to the Rams, and Barkley’s absence could continue to affect Philadelphia’s offensive rhythm.
Meanwhile, other teams are adjusting personnel due to injuries as well. The Buffalo Bills are seeing increased production from wide receivers Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir after DJ Moore struggled to stay healthy. Moore, sidelined with a lingering shoulder issue that forced him out of Week 4 against the New England Patriots, leaves Coleman and Shakir as the main targets in Buffalo’s passing attack. Coleman caught six passes for 116 yards and a late 34-yard touchdown, finishing as the WR6 in fantasy scoring with 20.6 points despite the Bills’ loss. Shakir hauled in seven catches on eight targets for 82 yards but didn’t find the end zone.
Coleman and Shakir’s performances have caught attention because Moore’s injury history has cast doubt on his availability for Week 5. Both receivers are poised to see expanded roles against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football. Coleman remains under-rostered in many leagues, with only 3% ownership on Yahoo, while Shakir is rostered in 42% of leagues. Their increased target share in an explosive offense gives them flex appeal for fantasy managers looking for consistent production.
On the Pittsburgh Steelers side, rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson has emerged as a reliable option for Aaron Rodgers. Wilson scored for the second straight week in the Steelers’ Week 4 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football, finishing with three catches for 74 yards and 14.9 fantasy points. Every game this season has seen Wilson targeted six times, and his recent big plays include gains of 38 and 49 yards. While his overall target volume is modest, his ability to make explosive plays has kept him relevant in PPR formats. Wilson’s low roster percentage of 3% suggests he could be a sleeper option for managers looking for a WR3 or flex spot in the coming weeks.
The Eagles are waiting for an official update on Barkley’s hamstring injury ahead of their London matchup with the Jaguars, but Bigsby and Shipley’s workload in Week 5 is expected to increase if Barkley remains sidelined. Fantasy owners monitoring the Eagles’ backfield will be weighing those two options closely as the season approaches its quarter mark.
According to Yahoo Sports.
