Will Shipley, the former Clemson star running back, finally got his shot with the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in London, only for an injury update a day later to rip that opportunity right out from under him. Shipley suffered a partial tear of his plantar fascia during the Eagles’ 19-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This is a brutal blow that could sideline him for multiple weeks.
A Crushing Blow to the Foot, and the Eagles’ Running Game
This isn’t just a minor tweak. While many folks might confuse it with plantar fasciitis, Shipley’s diagnosis is a more acute injury: a partial tear of the plantar fascia tissue itself. This crucial band of tissue runs from the heel to the toes, giving the foot its arch support and taking the impact of every explosive movement a running back makes. There’s no exact timetable or treatment plan out yet, but published medical research shows recovery can vary wildly based on the tear’s location and how bad it is. “Multiple weeks” is the clearest estimate for now, and that’s just a gut punch for a guy who was finally stepping up.
From First TD to the Sidelines: A Missed Opportunity
Shipley’s injury comes at the absolute worst time for him, and frankly, for the Eagles’ depth chart. He was making his second career NFL start, his first since way back in 2024, because Saquon Barkley was already out with a hamstring injury. And don’t forget Tank Bigsby, who’s on injured reserve after core-muscle surgery. With the top two guys down, Shipley finally got his chance to lead Philadelphia’s backfield. And what did he do? He snagged his first regular-season NFL touchdown! It was a 2-yard run with 8:46 left in the second quarter, tying the game at seven. He had previously hit the end zone in their 2025 NFC championship game win over the Washington Commanders, but Sunday’s score was a regular-season first. He finished the game with five carries for six yards and one catch for seven yards. The entire Philadelphia team ended that London trip with a pathetic 22 rushing yards on 18 attempts. That’s not just bad, that’s historically bad.
This injury leaves the Eagles in a serious bind, scrambling for answers in their running back room. Shipley, a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft (127th overall), now faces a long road back. What does this mean for Philadelphia’s season? They’re going to need someone, anyone, to step up and provide some spark in the run game, and fast. You have to feel for Shipley, getting that career milestone just to have this happen immediately after. This team’s run game needs a serious shot in the arm.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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