Eagles running back Will Shipley suffered a partial tear of his plantar fascia and faces a multi-week absence, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, compounding an already difficult injury situation in Philadelphia’s backfield.
Shipley started Sunday’s 19-16 loss to the Jaguars in London because Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby remained sidelined. Barkley has been sidelined since Week 4 with a hamstring injury, described as “week-to-week,” while Bigsby underwent core muscle surgery and was placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least three more games. Shipley’s injury leaves the Eagles with just two running backs on the active roster: Dameon Pierce and Carson Steele. Both were promoted from the practice squad last week, along with Jaydon Blue, a former Cowboys fifth-round pick now on the practice squad.
Shipley, making only his second career start, managed five carries for six yards and a touchdown before leaving Sunday’s game. Pierce struggled as well, running 11 times for 14 yards, while quarterback Jalen Hurts added two rushes for two yards. The Eagles finished with 18 rushes for 22 yards, averaging 1.2 yards per carry—their second-worst rushing performance of the 21st century.
The injury woes come amid a turbulent week for the franchise. Lane Johnson announced his retirement, and the Eagles traded center Cam Jurgens to the Ravens. On Sunday, left tackle Jordan Mailata was the only player remaining on the offensive line who had started in Week 1.
The game’s final moments offered a painful reminder of the Eagles’ struggles. After kicker Jake Elliott gave Philadelphia a 16-13 lead, the Jaguars’ Ameer Abdullah returned the kickoff 53 yards. With one second left, Cam Little nailed a 57-yard field goal, sealing the Jaguars’ comeback. Head coach Nick Sirianni took responsibility, saying, “I didn’t make the right decision, and I lost us that game, and that’s what I said to our guys. … I put that fully on me.”
Philadelphia’s record fell to 2-3, and the team ranks 30th in yards per play while leading the league in three-and-outs. The injuries have clearly played a role.
If Barkley’s hamstring issues persist, Pierce is set to take a larger share of the workload. A 2022 fourth-round pick by Houston, Pierce rushed for 939 yards and totaled 1,104 yards from scrimmage as a rookie. However, his production dropped sharply in 2023, and by 2024 he had largely disappeared from the Texans’ offense. Houston waived him mid-season in 2025, and he joined the Chiefs late that year. Pierce didn’t make the Eagles’ initial 53-man roster but was signed to the practice squad before being promoted last week.
Carson Steele, undrafted in 2024, has gained attention for his physical running style and distinctive long hair. After spending 2025 on the Chiefs’ practice squad, he was cut and signed by Philadelphia to a futures contract in January 2026. Like Pierce, Steele missed making the initial roster but was elevated from the practice squad last week. So far, Steele has only appeared on special teams this season.
Jaydon Blue carries some promise as well. The Texas product had limited opportunities in Dallas as a rookie and was waived during roster cuts this year. Philadelphia added him to the practice squad days later. Blue has yet to see regular-season action with the Eagles.
With Shipley’s injury confirmed, the Eagles’ running back depth is stretched thin, forcing them to rely heavily on Pierce and Steele as they navigate the next several weeks.
According to CBS.
