A Brutal Double-Whammy
The fantasy football gods were particularly cruel in Week 4. Not only did Saquon Barkley exit the game against the Rams with a hamstring injury, but his primary backup, Tank Bigsby, also went down. Barkley is officially considered 'week-to-week', a frustratingly
vague diagnosis that suggests he will miss at least a game or two, though it isn't viewed as a long-term issue. To make matters worse, Bigsby is headed to Injured Reserve after suffering a core muscle injury that requires surgery. In the span of one afternoon, the Eagles' one-two punch at running back was completely knocked out, leaving a significant void in a high-powered offense.
Next Man Up: Will Shipley
With both Barkley and Bigsby sidelined, Will Shipley is the last running back left on the active roster and is now thrust into the spotlight. A fourth-round pick in 2024, Shipley has been a depth piece for most of his career, operating in the shadow of Barkley. He has just one career start and has never had a massive workload. However, the sheer volume of opportunity now in front of him makes him the top waiver-wire priority for Week 5. Even if he isn't the most talented back on the roster, the starting running back for the Philadelphia Eagles is an immediate fantasy-relevant player. He's expected to handle the majority of touches for as long as Barkley is out.
Don't Forget the Practice Squad
While Shipley is the immediate beneficiary, the Eagles will almost certainly elevate another running back from their practice squad. The most notable name is Dameon Pierce. Fantasy veterans will remember Pierce's rookie year with the Texans, where he rushed for 939 yards and four touchdowns. While his career has tapered off since, he offers experience and a physical running style. Carson Steele and Jaydon Blue are other options on the practice squad who could be activated. It's unlikely any of these players will immediately leapfrog Shipley, but they could vulture carries, particularly near the goal line, muddying the fantasy waters. Pierce is the one to monitor most closely.
The Fantasy Playbook
So, how do you play this? If you're a Barkley manager, you're holding him, obviously. But you should also be spending a significant portion of your Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) on Will Shipley. He is the most valuable handcuff who has suddenly become a potential RB2. If you are not a Barkley manager, Shipley is still worth an aggressive bid. The Eagles have a tough matchup against the Jaguars in Week 5, but their schedule softens up considerably after that. If Barkley misses multiple weeks, Shipley could be a league-winner down the stretch. As for Pierce or the other practice squad players, they are speculative adds in deeper leagues for now. Watch the reports out of Philly to see who gets the official call-up and how the practice reps are distributed. Opportunity is king in fantasy football, and a massive opportunity has just presented itself in the City of Brotherly Love.
