Tank Bigsby or Will Shipley? Fantasy football waiver wire decision after Saquon Barkley injury

Philadelphia Eagles running backs Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley moved into a fantasy football spotlight Sunday after starter Saquon Barkley injured his right hamstring in the first quarter of the Los Angeles Rams’ visit to Lincoln Financial Field.

Barkley pulled up without contact on a 6-yard run to the Rams’ 22-yard line and walked from the medical tent to the locker room. The Eagles listed him as questionable to return, and Bigsby took over on that drive.

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Tank Bigsby’s role behind Saquon Barkley

Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby (8) celebrates his touchdown | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Bigsby was tackled for a loss on 3rd-and-2 later in that drive, and Philadelphia settled for a field goal and a 3-0 lead. Week 2 at Tennessee offers the clearest preview of this backfield without Barkley. He suffered a stinger on the opening play that day and finished with four carries for 9 yards.

Bigsby led the Eagles with 13 carries for 33 yards and a touchdown in that 24-20 win. He added two catches for 5 yards and handled the only goal-line touch.

Efficiency remains the concern for the former Jacksonville Jaguars back. He’s averaging 2.6 yards per carry on 14 attempts this season. He also lost a fumble after his lone reception in the 27-7 Week 3 loss at Chicago and played only two offensive snaps that night.

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How does Will Shipley fit?

Shipley out-snapped Bigsby 39-26 at Tennessee and played 51% of the offensive snaps. He turned seven carries into 24 yards and caught both of his targets. He stayed involved in Week 3 with 13 snaps while Barkley rushed 15 times for 82 yards.

Shipley’s snap share points to third-down work as a blocker and receiver, and that role grows with Philadelphia short on pass catchers. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) were inactive Sunday. Offensive tackle Lane Johnson missed the game for personal reasons, and backup tackle Fred Johnson was also out.

Shipley has nine carries for 28 yards this season, so the Eagles haven’t leaned on him as a runner.

Fantasy add: Bigsby over Shipley

Philadelphia Eagles running back Will Shipley (28) runs with the ball against the Tennessee Titans | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Bigsby is the back to add first if Barkley misses time, especially in standard and half-point scoring leagues. He gets the early-down carries and goal-line work. Philadelphia’s two rushing touchdowns this season belong to him and quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Shipley carries more appeal in full PPR formats because his playing time doesn’t depend on short-yardage carries. Still, Bigsby’s 13 carries in Week 2 nearly doubled Shipley’s seven, and that split is the most likely workload for as long as Barkley’s hamstring keeps him out.

We still don’t yet know the full extent of Barkley’s injury. He could return before the game is over! But for a player of his caliber, it’s best to start thinking ahead early, as his absence affects the entire Eagles’ offense. We need to allow the Eagles’ Week 4 game to play out. Afterward, there will be more data to peruse, like snaps played, usage and production.

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