Will Shipley did not receive an official promotion after the Philadelphia Eagles’ second preseason game. He did provide the strongest evidence yet that the third running back job should be his. Shipley rushed 11 times for 56 yards and a touchdown against New England, averaging 5.1 yards per attempt while helping Philadelphia establish a more functional offense. With Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby ahead of him, Shipley does not need to become the centerpiece of the running game. He needs to give the Eagles a dependable option when the workload reaches beyond their top two backs.
Shipley strengthened his case through ordinary execution
The performance was valuable because Shipley consistently took advantage of the blocking available to him. Philadelphia’s reserve offensive line helped, but a running
back still must identify the opening, commit to it and finish the run. That combination was evident against the Patriots. Philadelphia’s second-team blocking and Shipley’s productive night stood out in the game’s snap-count analysis.
The competition is not only about rushing yards
Dameon Pierce’s return gives the Eagles another experienced option. Shipley still needs to handle protection assignments and contribute on special teams. Carson Steele has also complicated the roster decision through his receiving work and potential versatility. His emergence does not necessarily threaten Shipley’s position, however. Philadelphia could decide that a third running back and an additional hybrid option serve different purposes.
The verdict
Shipley has taken the lead in the RB3 discussion. That is an assessment of the available evidence, not a declaration from the coaching staff. The finale offers another opportunity to confirm his reliability.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Did Will Shipley take control of the Eagles’ RB3 competition?
