The Eagles’ hope for a balanced offense in London took a massive hit on Sunday when starter Will Shipley went down with a foot injury. This was not a minor scare; the team announced he is questionable to return. With Saquon Barkley already sidelined and Tank Bigsby on injured reserve, the depth chart has vanished.
Now, the team relies on two players who were on the practice squad just days ago. This is a disaster for a team that needed to run the ball against a tough Jaguars defense.
Shipley’s Brief Stint Ends in Pain
Shipley entered the game as the starter only because of the injuries to the bigger names. He showed promise early, scoring the team’s first touchdown of the day midway through the second quarter. However, his time was cut short when he got shaken up and headed straight to the medical tent.
The Eagles announced he is questionable to return due to the foot injury, leaving fans worried about his status for the rest of the contest. Late in the second quarter, Bleeding Green Nation observed him departing soon after the score, receiving sideline evaluation before going to the locker room.
Two Practice Squad Players Step Up
The burden now falls on Dameon Pierce and Carson Steele, neither of whom was on the active roster last week. The team signed both men from the practice squad earlier this week to fill the sudden void. Pierce and Steele are currently the sole healthy running backs for the Eagles.
Pierce has already seen the field, recording three carries for eight yards. This is a huge test for players who have barely practiced with the starters. The team had to pull them up because Shipley was downgraded to out with a foot injury, a stark contrast to the “questionable” status reported earlier. Without a proven veteran, the offense must pivot instantly to these untested options.
The situation leaves the Eagles with a fragile plan for the rest of the game. If the Jaguars’ defense can stop the run, the offense has no backup plan. Earlier this week, the team moved Pierce and Steele from the practice squad to the roster, though they have no game experience versus this competition level. This sudden shift forces a young-heavy group to carry the load in a high-pressure London game. The outcome of this matchup will depend entirely on whether these two can hold up under fire.