Eagles Turn to Will Shipley Amid Week 5 Running Back Injuries

The Philadelphia Eagles enter their Week 5 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a reshaped offense after injuries removed key contributors, leaving Will Shipley as the expected primary running back in London. The Eagles will also have Jalen Hurts and Dallas Goedert available while facing Jacksonville's defense.

According to sports.yahoo.com, Philadelphia ruled out Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith and Hollywood Brown for the game, while Tank Bigsby was placed on injured reserve. Goedert returned from a knee injury, and Hurts remained available despite a late injury report addition.

The Eagles' offensive changes followed a 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, when Philadelphia went 0-for-12 on third down and failed to score on its final six possessions, according to sports.yahoo.com. The team also lost right tackle Lane Johnson to retirement, traded Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens, and ruled out new starting center Drew Kendall with a knee injury.

Shipley became the focus of the backfield after Barkley left the Rams game with a hamstring injury and Bigsby suffered a core muscle injury requiring surgery, according to fantasypros.com. Shipley played 29 snaps against Los Angeles, recording six carries for 23 yards and running 15 routes.

"I've been preparing like a starter since the first game of my rookie year against Green Bay in Brazil," said Will Shipley, Eagles running back.

The Clemson product entered Week 5 as a potential lead option because of his ability as both a runner and receiver, according to fantasypros.com. Jacksonville had allowed running backs 190 rushing yards on 67 carries through four games, while also allowing 27 receptions to the position, according to sports.yahoo.com.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni addressed the team's decision to promote Dameon Pierce from the practice squad after Bigsby's injury. Philadelphia also signed Carson Steele as additional depth, according to sports.yahoo.com.

"He's an NFL starting running back that's on our practice squad," said Nick Sirianni, Eagles head coach.

Sirianni later evaluated wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks, who remained available despite a hamstring injury designation. Wicks received an 18.5 percent target share in the Eagles' loss to the Rams, according to sports.yahoo.com.

"He's tough as they come and really been pleased with him," said Nick Sirianni, Eagles head coach.

Wicks entered Week 5 with a matchup against a Jacksonville defense that had allowed 37.3 PPR points per game to wide receivers and 842 receiving yards to the position, according to sports.yahoo.com. Dallas Goedert's return also provided another option after he missed two games.

Goedert practiced fully on Friday after the knee injury suffered in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans. The veteran tight end highlighted his desire to return during the 17-game regular season.

"You only get 17 of these a year, so you want to play as much as you can," said Dallas Goedert, Eagles tight end.

According to sports.yahoo.com, Goedert entered the matchup as a possible target option with Smith and Brown unavailable, although Jacksonville had allowed only 12 catches and 131 yards to tight ends through four games.