Former Clemson superstar RB Will Shipley in line to start for Eagles

Will Shipley spent three seasons at Clemson playing like his head was on fire, treating every crease like it might disappear within half a second. The Eagles has now opened the largest one of his NFL career.

The former Clemson running back is in line to lead the charge for the Eagles’ backfield Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. Saquon Barkley is considered week-to-week with a hamstring injury and did not practice Wednesday, while Tank Bigsby was placed on injured reserve after suffering a core muscle injury against the Los Angeles Rams. Philadelphia signed veteran Dameon Pierce to the active roster Wednesday, but Shipley is positioned to receive his second meaningful starting workload of his professional career.

The moment did

not arrive from Shipley simply being the best guy in the room; rather, it arrived through the ugly math of NFL attrition. Barkley exited Sunday’s 24-20 loss during the opening possession, and Bigsby suffered his injury after taking over the backfield in the same game. Shipley finished with 23 yards on six carries, bringing his season totals to 51 yards on 15 attempts with four receptions for 24 yards.

Shipley said Wednesday that he has prepared like a starter since the first NFL game against Green Bay in Brazil.

“Nothing changes for me, and the word opportunity is just a word,” Shipley said. “We’ll see what opportunities come. I have to take it one play at a time. I just focus on getting better every single day, whether it’s one thing, two things, one percent, 10 percent.”

#Eagles RB Will Shipley talks about getting the start against the Jaguars#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/awOvorRcmm

— Midnight Green Talk 🦅🎙️ (@MidnightGrnTalk) October 8, 2026

That sounds appropriately calm for someone about to inherit a position previously occupied by one of the NFL’s most dangerous running backs. Opportunity may only be a word during a press conference, but it becomes considerably more tangible when Jalen Hurts turns around and places the ball in Shipley’s stomach.

Shipley’s Clemson résumé does not require any creative interpretation. He accumulated 2,747 rushing yards, 602 receiving yards, 31 rushing touchdowns and 4,253 all-purpose yards across three seasons. In 2022, he became the first player in ACC history to earn first-team all-conference honors at running back, all-purpose player and specialist in the same season.

THIS HURDLE BY SHIPLEY 🤯 @ClemsonFB pic.twitter.com/UT8WJTaWa9

— ESPN (@espn) November 12, 2022

Shipley proved he could legitimately handle heavy usage at the collegiate level. Shipley carried the ball at least 17 times in 16 games for Clemson and recorded 10 career 100-yard rushing performances. He caught 85 passes and returned 34 kickoffs, giving Philadelphia options to move him around the formation.

The difficult part is that Jacksonville is one of the worst team's you could be going against for your audition game. The Jaguars have allowed only 297 rushing yards through four games, holding opponents to 3.3 yards per carry/ That is the second least in the NFL behind the Falcons at 193 yards. Philadelphia enters the matchup at 2-2 after consecutive losses, while Jacksonville arrives in London at 3-1.

Shipley’s evaluation will also extend beyond the rushing column. A starting NFL running back must diagnose pressure, protect the quarterback, catch checkdowns, and consistently turn doomed plays into manageable ones. One explosive run would look great on a highlight reel. Remaining trustworthy across an entire game would mean considerably more for his future.

Shipley has already flashed on the NFL’s largest stages. During Philadelphia’s NFC Championship Game victory following the 2024 season, he ripped off a 57-yard run and scored his first professional touchdown as the Eagles punched their ticket to the Super Bowl. Until now, however, moments like that have been cameos rather than a weekly role.

Ship Happens!!

Former Clemson Tiger Will Shipley had a 35 yard kick return, then forced a fumble on kick coverage, and busted this 57-yard run before scoring his first career TD. #HaveADay @Eagles pic.twitter.com/8GrQWIsoDm

— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) January 26, 2025

Clemson starting quarterback ranked among college football’s Top 25 freshman

📸 Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network , USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co https://t.co/QUvOgHkK6o pic.twitter.com/yi7P7xjE9D

— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) October 8, 2026

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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Former Clemson superstar RB Will Shipley in line to start for Eagles