Eagles' Will Shipley: Barely sees field in first NFL game1
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Shipley played just four offensive snaps in his NFL debut Friday against the Packers and did not see a carry or a target.
Shipley, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft, does not appear to be a significant part of the Eagles' offensive gameplan for now, though he did at least play 17 snaps on special teams. If Saquon Barkley were to suffer an injury, Kenneth Gainwell is the more likely option to step into a starting role, having seen the field for 14 offensive snaps on Friday.
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Eagles' Will Shipley: Four catches after Gainwell starts
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Shipley rushed five times for 15 yards and caught all four of his targets for 31 yards in Thursday's 14-13 preseason win over the Patriots.
Kenneth Gainwell got the start Thursday with Saquon Barkley rested, suggesting Gainwell remains in pole position for the top backup spot. Once Shipley got into the game, he continued to show off his receiving skills after catching a seven-yard touchdown in the preseason opener against Baltimore. The rookie fourth-round pick will have one more preseason audition, Aug. 24 against the Vikings, in his bid to earn regular-season playing time.
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Eagles' Will Shipley: Scores TD in preseason opener
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Shipley carried the ball seven times for 23 yards and caught his only target for a seven-yard touchdown in Friday's 16-13 preseason win over the Ravens. He also led the Eagles with 48 return yards on two kickoffs.
A fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Shipley was the second Eagles running back to see the field Friday after Kenneth Gainwell, and the rookie made an impact when he scored the only TD of the first half on a quick toss in the red zone from Kenny Pickett. Gainwell and Shipley are competing for the top backup job behind Saquon Barkley, a role that could have some surprising fantasy value if the former Giant star's injury woes re-surface. Gainwell's experience in Nick Sirianni's system gives him the edge on the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, but Shipley certainly didn't hurt his chances to win it with his performance Friday.
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Eagles' Will Shipley: Competing with Gainwell
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Shipley and Kenneth Gainwell split first-team reps Monday when Saquon Barkley missed practice for personal reasons, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Gainwell was the first to sub in for Barkley at the start of training camp and the first to take first-team reps Monday, but it sounds like the split between him and Shipley was pretty even throughout practice. The two are competing for the second spot on the depth chart, which presumably won't entail many snaps or touches unless Barkley suffers an injury. Shipley is the upside play for fantasy as a 2024 fourth-round pick, with Gainwell already having an extensive NFL track record that suggests he's no better than mediocre as a ballcarrier. That said, Gainwell has ample experience under coach Nick Sirianni, including a history of taking snaps in clear passing situations.
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Eagles' Will Shipley: Flies to Philly in fourth round
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The Eagles selected Shipley in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 127th overall.
Those hoping for Shipley to make an immediate impact as a rookie may be disappointed with this selection because the Eagles gave Saquon Barkley a big contract this offseason. Still, Shipley profiles as a solid depth option behind Barkley, who has had durability issues. Shipley starred at Clemson for three years after being ranked as a five-star recruit in high school. He topped out with 210 carries for 1,182 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2022 and was more so part of a committee as a junior. Shipley did not test at the combine due to a knee issue but put down a 4.45 in the 40 at Clemson's Pro Day. He may not be built for workhorse functions but can be a rotational rusher with some pass-catching assignments as well given his 69 receptions on 85 targets in his final two seasons in college. Shipley is a better back right now than Kenneth Gainwell, but that hasn't stopped Philadelphia from giving Gainwell the snaps anyway in the past.