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Will Shipley
RB · PHI

Will Shipley

Position RB
Team PHI
Bye Week —
PPR Rank —

Will Shipley

NFL running back. Position: RB. Team: Philadelphia Eagles.

Quick Facts

  • Position: Running Back (RB)
  • Team: Philadelphia Eagles
  • Role: Backup to Saquon Barkley
  • 2025 stats: 105 yards from scrimmage, 26.8 yards per kick return average

2026 Outlook

Week 5 emergency lead-back (Oct 10, 2026): With both Saquon Barkley (hamstring) and Tank Bigsby (core muscle surgery) sidelined, Shipley is the Eagles' top backfield option against Jacksonville in London. RotoBaller ranks him as the #1 RB waiver priority across all league sizes, signaling consensus view of his upside when given lead-back work. Should see the bulk of carries if Barkley doesn't play. (per Weekend Waiver Wire Rankings - Fantasy Football Week 5 (2026) - RotoBaller).

Week 5 — Emergency lead-back role (Oct 6, 2026): With Saquon Barkley sidelined week-to-week (hamstring) and Tank Bigsby headed to injured reserve following core muscle surgery, Shipley is now the last man standing for the Eagles' backfield. A 2024 4th-round pick from Clemson with dual run-catch ability, Shipley played 29 snaps (6-23-0 rushing) with one target in replacement duty. He ran 15 routes on Sunday, suggesting the Eagles view his pass-catching ability as critical to the game plan. Against Jacksonville's stout run defense in London Week 5, Shipley faces a difficult matchup, but his dual-threat profile (1,424 scrimmage yards, 15 TDs as Clemson sophomore) gives him multiple paths to fantasy value. Fantasy rankings project him as a desperation flex play if Barkley remains out. (per Eagles RB Saquon Barkley reportedly week-to-week with hamstring injury, RB Tank Bigsby headed to IR after core muscle surgery).

Pre-injury status — RB3 job: Shipley was the "clear frontrunner for the RB3 job," positioned ahead of Tank Bigsby and Dameon Pierce for backup reps behind Saquon Barkley. In offseason work, Shipley impressed in the passing game, being featured with the first and second-team offenses. The Eagles appeared poised to manage Barkley's carries given his age (one year away from 30), creating more opportunity for a backup RB, especially one valuable in the passing game. Shipley's real advantage lay on special teams, where he had a shot at becoming the Eagles' full-time kick returner in 2026 (per Philadelphia Eagles Get Good News On 23-Year-Old Promising RB).

In preseason vs New England (Aug 23), Shipley carried the load on an opening drive touchdown, contributing runs of 5, 9, and 7 yards before capping the drive with a 5-yard TD run. His involvement suggested the Eagles view him as a centerpiece of the RB3 role in game situations. (per Eagles vs. Patriots backup QB battle).

Role / Depth Chart

Backup running back. Competing for snaps and special teams role.

Recent News

Open Questions

Sources

Coaches shaping Will's role

Nick SirianniHead CoachSean MannionOffensive CoordinatorRyan MahaffeyRun Game Coordinator/Tight EndsChris KuperOffensive LineGreg AustinAssistant Offensive Line CoachJemal SingletonRunning Backs/Assistant Head Coach

What the Experts Are Saying

FantasyProsFantasy Football Start or Sit Lineup Advice: Experts Pick Who To Start Week 6 (2026)
Fantasy Football TodayWeek 6 Fantasy Football RANKINGS & Tiers: QB, RB, WR, & TE + Starts & Sits | 2026 Fantasy Football
Sal Vetri10 Must Add Players to Pick Up in Your Fantasy League Right Now