Eagles Offically Sign Young RB Star in Trade Amid Will Shipley's Injury, per Source

Philadelphia, September 9, 2025
Right after rookie running back Will Shipley suffered a rib injury in Week 1 against the Cowboys — an injury that could sideline him for the entire season — the Philadelphia Eagles wasted no time searching for reinforcements. By Monday, the front office had already pulled the trigger on a trade for Tank Bigsby from the Jacksonville Jaguars, adding both strength and depth to the backfield just as the new season gets underway.

Bigsby, only 24 years old, is coming off a breakout 2024 season in Jacksonville. He led the NFL with 2.69 yards after contact per carry and ranked fourth in Elusive Rating (106.8) — proof of his ability to absorb hits, maintain balance, and slip through tackles. Statistically, he posted 766 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns, highlighted by two 100-yard performances and several jaw-dropping runs that erased doubts from his uneven rookie year.

But Bigsby isn’t just a ground threat. He brings added value in the return game. Last season, he averaged 28.5 yards per kick return across 11 attempts, including a 38-yard return during the 2025 preseason. His résumé in special teams stretches back to his Auburn days, where as a freshman he logged 306 kick return yards, showcasing early his danger in open-field situations. With the NFL’s new kickoff rules placing greater emphasis on return plays — and with Shipley unavailable — Bigsby offers Philadelphia an immediate plug-in option.

The trade didn’t come without debate. To acquire him, the Eagles sent a 2026 fifth- and sixth-round pick to Jacksonville. Analysts at ESPN and CBS Sports have already questioned the price tag for a player projected as a RB2 or RB3, particularly since the team already rosters Saquon Barkley, last year’s Offensive Player of the Year with 345 carries, and veteran power back A.J. Dillon. Still, in the philosophy of Howie Roseman, depth and versatility outweigh the paper cost of draft capital.

For Philadelphia, this move is about more than numbers. It’s about refusing to leave any hole in the roster unaddressed. Tank Bigsby, a young runner with proven growth and upside, now has the chance to write his next chapter at Lincoln Financial Field. And if he replicates the bruising, tackle-breaking form he showed in Jacksonville, those yards after contact and goal-line bursts could have the Philly crowd roaring long into Sunday nights.