The Philadelphia Eagles are 3-0 on the season and have every reason to feel encouraged with where the offense currently sits. Still, there is room for improvement with several key pieces dealing with injuries in the first weeks of the season. This included second-year running back Will Shipley, who hasn't been active in the first week of the season. Shipley totaled 26 yards on only three carries in a performance that just scratched the surface of what his typical role could look like within the Philly offense.
Shipley is nearing a return, having been back at practice last week and being a game-time decision ahead of Week 3's matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. He is going to quickly be a vital piece of this offense, especially after Tank Bigsby's debut proved that the Eagles had zero trust in their new acquisition.
The Eagles still need a trusted piece to help take pressure off Saquon Barkley and keep the star fresh for when the games matter most, which is where Shipley comes in.
Eagles Running Back Will Shipley Will Have Surprising Impact in 2025 Season
Giving Barkley some extra rest is about keeping him fresh for meaningful games, and that goal can be accomplished with Shipley's help. The 23-year-old RB has clearly taken a leap, and it was obvious not only in Week 1 but dating back to training camp and the preseason. He runs with a ferocity that has gained the trust of head coach Nick Sirianni and his staff.
Although the Clemson product is nowhere close to the talent of Barkley, the importance of the backup is going to quickly emerge when he returns.
Philadelphia owes it to the roster and the star runner himself to understand that last season's workload was an outlier (482 total touches between regular season and playoffs), with the Eagles needing to pick their spots in 2025 to lean on the star. Continuing to wear Barkley down would throw any hopes for a second straight Super Bowl win out the window.
Once Shipley returns, he must take advantage of this opportunity to establish himself as one of the better backups in the league, giving the Eagles the exact type of boost an already loaded offense needs.
Hopefully, Shipley can suit up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4 in what is an incredibly important matchup between two undefeated teams. It would set him up to potentially make an impactful return when the Eagles need him the most.