ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Philadelphia Eagles have signed running back Elijah Mitchell to their practice squad while waiving Jaydon Blue and waiving/injured Carson Steele.
Mitchell returns to Philadelphia after being released during training camp. With Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley on injured reserve, he provides depth behind Saquon Barkley and Dameon Pierce. Barkley has returned to practice and is expected to play Monday, though trade speculation surrounding him ahead of the November 10 deadline could create an opportunity for Mitchell. Fantasy managers in deeper and dynasty formats should monitor his practice squad elevations, though he hasn’t appeared in an NFL game since the 2023 season.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Will Shipley has seen most...
Philadelphia Eagles running back Will Shipley has played a ...
Philadelphia Eagles running back Will Shipley saw more ...
Ian Rapoport reports Saquon Barkley avoided serious injury and is considered week-to-week after injuring his hamstring in Week 4. A tough first month for Barkley’s fantasy football owners: Barkley left Week 2’s game with a stringer after only 4 carries and this week left after only 2 carries.
Week-to-week generally means he will at least miss this week, so managers will have to keep an eye on his progress in practice reports over the next week plus. With Tank Bigsby heading to IR with an injury of his own, Will Shipley is the next man up for the Eagles. Jaydon Blue on the practice squad is a player to keep an eye on too, as it is unlikely Shipley would be given a workhorse role.
Eagles RB Saquon Barkley has returned to the Week 2 contest vs. the Titans to start the second half, wearing a neck roll for protection. Certainly, it is a relief to see Saquon able to return within the same game.
We’ll see how the workload is distributed for the rest of the game. Tank Bigsby could receive a higher-than-normal workload, or it could just remain the Saquon show.
Superstar Eagles RB Saquon Barkley went into the medical tent early in Week 2’s game vs the Titans due to a stinger. Barkley originally returned to the game but has since left again and has now officially been deemed questionable to return.
Tank Bigsby will take the lead role as long as Barkley is out, with Will Shipley getting some work in too. Bigsby has been viewed as a top handcuff at RB after ranking No. 2 in True Yards Per Carry last season. Fantasy football managers will need to keep an eye on Barkley’s status.
The RB3 spot on the Eagles depth chart is something for Fantasy gamers to keep an eye on. Eagles RB2 Tank Bigsby has been great, but doesn’t possess the same all around pass-catching skillset that star starter Saquon Barkley has. The Eagles current RB3 Will Shipley (fourth round draft pick in 2024) does have a more versatile pass-catching skillset and just put it on display with a strong 2026 preseason, yet Shipley has underwhelmed when given NFL chances the last two seasons.
That brings us to Cowboys 2025 fifth round draft pick Jaydon Blue. Blue has the same skillsets, BMI, and near same physical measurements as Shipley. Albeit not as strong as Shipley, Blue is much faster (92nd percentile 4.43 40-yard dash and 72nd percentile 101.8 speed score). Blue’s lightning speed and pass-catching prowess would pair perfectly with Bigsby’s thunder if Barkley were to get injured. Blue seems a good sneaky stash at the end of rosters in dynasty leagues and someone to keep on the radar in seasonal-redraft.
An interesting nugget from Philly beat reporter Elliot Sharr-Parks of 94WIP, “The Eagles clearly liked Blue as a draft prospect, bringing him in for a Top-30 visit. Now they got him in their building just a year later on a practice spot…it won’t be easy getting him on the 53-man roster with Barkley, Bigsby and Shipley ahead of him, but Blue’s ability to be a pass-catching back plus returning kicks might get him elevated for a game sooner or later.” And if it’s been personality concerns the league has had with Blue, maybe a change of scenery in South Philly can fix that.
~Jason Diaz
Shipley was a huge contributor to the Clemson offense the entirety of his three-year career. He racked up 3,350 scrimmage yards and 33 touchdowns in his career as a Tiger. He tested great at the combine and received a relative athletic score of 9.61. Shipley comes out of college with 85 career receptions which will be a huge boost to his value.
With Kenneth Gainwell entering the final year of his deal it looks like the Eagles have found their new long-term receiving back. Shipley may struggle to find relevance right away, but his receiving skills should force him on the field eventually and he finds himself in a high-flying offense. He is worth a dynasty roster spot for a rookie third round pick.
