Will Shipley Sizzles in Preseason Opener, His Foot in the Door as the Eagles’ No. 2 RB

The storyline heading into the Philadelphia Eagles’ preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals was simple yet juicy: “Who would win the backup running back battle, Will Shipley or AJ Dillon?” After 60 minutes of football and two seemingly divergent performances, one thing is abundantly clear: we might be witnessing the start of a Shipley-sized ascendancy.

Will Shipley Delivers an Electrifying Performance

Shipley didn’t just show up; he showed out. The second-year back from Philly took the field as if he were auditioning for an Oscar, not a depth chart. Seven carries for 48 yards and a reception for another four may sound like decent, workmanlike stats until you realize the flair he brought to those touches. A 38-yard scamper during the Eagles’ opening drive had the crowd groaning with the realization that maybe they underestimated this guy.

But hey, Philly fans have been burned before. They’ve seen preseason heroes vanish into obscurity faster than you can say “Matt Barkley.” Yet something about his elusiveness, his burst, and his knack for reading blocks screamed “real deal.” He wasn’t just filling a stat sheet; he was dictating terms on the field. His confidence was palpable.

Dillon Plays Catch-Up, Both Literally and Figuratively

On the flip side, AJ Dillon, the proverbial “tank with legs,” took over duties from Shipley in the third series. Dillon didn’t exactly lay a goose egg. Five carries for 27 yards paired with three catches amounting to another 27 scream “reliable contributor,” but they lack the inherent spice of Shipley’s effort. The rotation speaks volumes. Shipley got the starter’s workload for the first two series, which is basically coach-speak for “We’re strongly considering this guy for the number two spot behind Saquon Barkley.” While Dillon moved the chains, he didn’t have a splash moment to put defensive units on red alert.

Why Shipley Has the Edge in Philly’s Backfield Battle

There’s an easy argument to be made for Dillon, the NFL-tested workhorse with enough power to drag a linebacker 10 yards. Yet Shipley’s style fits an evolving Eagles offense that’s more likely to rely on versatility and adaptability in its schemes. Having a creative edge as a downhill yet slippery, multi-purpose back is exactly how you carve out more snaps on game day.

On top of that, injuries come for even the mightiest of running backs (looking at you, Saquon Barkley). The Eagles’ offensive machine ran like clockwork last year, but a potential Barkley snag thrusts the No. 2 RB into the limelight. Shipley’s upside in such a scenario is huge for fantasy points and Philly’s title hopes alike.

Can Shipley Sustain This Form?

This is the golden question, isn’t it? Preseason success stories are the NFL’s version of “summer fling”: fun, memorable, but often fleeting. Yet Shipley has momentum. And in Philly, momentum can snowball into legend status faster than you might think. Just ask another eagle in green, Jalen Hurts.

Stay tuned because the pressure isn’t just on him to replicate this performance. Dillon, the veteran grinder, isn’t going to concede the No. 2 job without max effort. What we know right now, though, is that Will Shipley’s name isn’t just on the whiteboard behind Barkley’s; it’s circled, maybe even underlined twice. Talk about progress.

Why Shipley Stock is Fantasy Dynamite

For those scanning the waiver wire or early fantasy drafts, he is the guy you stash away. His ceiling is sky-high in an Eagles offense that led the NFL in rushing yards per game. Barkley going down (knock on wood) would be a golden ticket for Shipley stockholders. And the best part? No one’s paying much attention to Philly’s depth backfield just yet. Get in while it’s cheap, folks.

Will Shipley isn’t waiting behind Barkley and Dillon; he’s knocking on the door. And if his first test this season was any indication, he’s ready to blow the thing wide open.