Tank Bigsby’s expected placement on injured reservecreates more than an ordinary depth-chart adjustment for the Philadelphia Eagles. Bigsby reportedly needs core muscle surgery after sustaining an injury in Sunday’s 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams
. The Eagles hope he can return in six weeks or sooner, according to NFL Network, but he must miss at least four games once Philadelphia places him on injured reserve.Here are the primary takeaways from another significant injury to the Eagles’ offense.
Saquon Barkley’s status becomes even more important
Philadelphia could have absorbed Bigsby’s absence more easily with a healthy Barkley. Instead, its starting running back is undergoing evaluation for the hamstring injury that ended his afternoon after two carries against Los Angeles.
Barkley has rushed
for 182 yards without a touchdown through four games. His early exit Sunday forced the Eagles to change their backfield rotation before Bigsby also went down. Even if Barkley is cleared for the London game, Philadelphia will have to decide whether it can give him a normal workload. Hamstring injuries can be aggravated when a player returns before recovering his acceleration and full-speed movement.
Will Shipley moves into a central role
Shipley is now positioned to become the No. 2 running back and could start against Jacksonville if Barkley is unavailable. His responsibilities would extend beyond carrying the ball, with pass protection and receiving assignments becoming especially important. The Eagles listed Shipley with a foot injury last week, but he progressed from sitting out Wednesday’s practice to full participation Friday and entered the Rams game without an injury designation.
Philadelphia must determine whether Shipley can handle an expanded workload or whether it needs a committee that includes another addition.
The Eagles lost a needed explosive alternative
Bigsby’s 2026 production had been modest before Sunday, but his value was tied to the physical and explosive dimension he offered behind Barkley. He averaged 5.9 yards on 58 carries last season, finishing with 344 yards and two touchdowns. His best performance came against the New York Giants, when he rushed for 104 yards on nine attempts.
His 19-yard run against the Rams again demonstrated that ability. Philadelphia now loses a runner who can generate significant gains without requiring many touches.
A roster move should be coming
Placing Bigsby on injured reserve would open an active-roster spot. The Eagles can use it to add another running back, address another injury-depleted position, or promote an internal option. The immediate priority should be ensuring the offense has enough backfield depth for London. Depending on Barkley’s status, Philadelphia may need more than an emergency third running back.
The timing magnifies the loss
The Eagles are 2-2 after consecutive defeats and failed to convert any of their 12 third-down opportunities against the Rams. They also gained only 172 total yards and were shut out in the second half. That offense now must prepare for Jacksonville without knowing whether Barkley will be available, with Bigsby expected to miss multiple games.
Final analysis on Bigsby
Bigsby was not the centerpiece of Philadelphia’s offense, but his injury removes another workable answer from a unit already searching for consistency. The Eagles’ next personnel move—and Barkley’s medical outlook—will determine whether that problem is manageable or becomes another major obstacle.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Tank Bigsby's injury leaves the Eagles with an urgent problem at RB
