Former Clemson football star running back Will Shipley finally received the NFL opportunity he had been waiting for Sunday in London. One day later, an injury update put that opportunity to rest.
The former Clemson running back suffered a partial tear of his plantar fascia during the Philadelphia Eagles’ 19-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The injury could sideline Shipley for multiple weeks.
Eagles RB Will Shipley suffered a partial tear of his plantar fascia during Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars that now could sideline him multiple weeks, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 12, 2026
With Saquon Barkley dealing with a hamstring injury, Tank Bigsby on IR and Shipley hurt, the Eagles’ RB injuries are… pic.twitter.com/k9lNom619o
While often confused
with plantar fasciitis, Shipley’s diagnosis is a more acute injury: a partial tear of the plantar fascia itself. The plantar fascia is the thick band of tissue running from the heel to the toes that supports the foot’s arch and absorbs impact during explosive movements like running and jumping.
No exact timetable or treatment plan has been announced. Published medical research also shows that recovery can vary depending on the location and severity of the tear, making “multiple weeks” the clearest available estimate for Shipley’s absence.
Shipley made his second career NFL start and his first since 2024 after Saquon Barkley was ruled out with a hamstring injury. The Eagles were already without Tank Bigsby, who was placed on injured reserve after undergoing core-muscle surgery.
With the top two running backs unavailable, Shipley received his first chance to lead Philadelphia’s backfield, and he scored his first regular-season NFL touchdown on a 2-yard run with 8:46 remaining in the second quarter, tying the game at seven.
The former Tiger finished with five carries for six yards and caught one pass for seven yards. Philadelphia ended the evening with only 22 rushing yards on 18 attempts.
Shipley previously reached the end zone during Philadelphia’s victory over the Washington Commanders in the 2025 NFC championship game, but Sunday’s score was the first of his NFL regular-season career.
ACC reveals start time window for Clemson football vs. Virginia Tech
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) October 12, 2026
📸 Kim Klement, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/QrisbLosIl pic.twitter.com/PW7Ub3yX5F
Philadelphia selected Shipley from Clemson with the 127th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft. He has recorded 188 rushing yards and 122 receiving yards across 36 regular-season appearances.
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: UPDATE: Former Clemson star could miss weeks with NFL foot injury
