The Eagles kicked off their 2024 preseason campaign with a narrow win over the Baltimore Ravens on Friday night, but while the score doesn’t matter, performances certainly do. Arguably the brightest star of all to shine during the victory was Clemson product Will Shipley, who did more than just turn heads in the preseason opener.
Will Shipley shines under preseason lights
Shipley was the second running back deployed in the matchup and wasted no time asserting his presence. He kept his pads low and his legs churning. A refreshingly physical style of running graced the Eagles’ backfield on Friday, as Shipley ran decisively every time he got the rock in his hands, reading blocks extremely well and committing to his chosen lane. This gave Nick Sirianni confidence to go for it on an early 4th & 2, with Shipley showing he can pick up those extra yards in a pinch.
He capped the night with a seven-yard receiving touchdown on a rollout play, adding to his 23 rushing yards on 7 carries. The Eagles saw everything they could’ve possibly needed to out of the 4th-round selection, who also flexed his muscles in pass-protection too.
“It’s monumental for me,” Will Shipley said after the game via NBC Sports Philadelphia. “Getting out there, calming the nerves a little bit, reassuring myself that I can do it at this level. Go out there and just continue to be my best, try to help this team out anyway I can. But to get in the end zone was a special feeling I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
While the rookie won’t be digging to deep into Saquon Barkley’s share of carries, he’s absolutely made his case as a change-of-pace back and a potential RB2 behind the superstar. He might lack the NFL experience of Kenny Gainwell, but if he can continue to force his way into the conversation, that might not matter.
The Eagles have craved a decisive runner for a while now while D’Andre Swift finally provided that, it was short-lived. Saquon Barkley brings a maximized version of skillset and if he can tutor Will Shipley along the way, this could be a dominant 1-2 punch behind a stacked offensive front. At the end of the day, a high tide raises all…’Ships’.
