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Tag: Tank Bigsby

  • Bye week self-scout: Keys to Eagles success in second half

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    The Eagles are off Sunday while most of the rest of the NFL is involved in Week 9 action. After Monday night’s game, the NFL will have officially reached its halfway point.

    As usual, Eagles players were given the week off, but the coaches use the free time to self-scout and figure out how to build from the things the team did well for the first eight weeks and how to rectify or reverse things that didn’t.

    Like most teams, the Eagles have flaws, but any flawed team would be happy with a 6-2 record, especially with wins over five playoff teams from 2024.

    Here are five self-scouting keys for the Eagles before they return to the practice field next week and start preparing for next Monday night’s game against the Packers at Lambeau Field:

    Keep incorporating an outside run game

    The Eagles finally unlocked their run game against the Giants in Week 8, with Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby each going over 100 yards. The under-center formations and extra offensive lineman were beneficial additions to help finally spring the ground game but the better adjustment was a refocus on running the ball outside the tackles. Outside zones, pin-pulls sweeps, and off-tackle runs helped take the burden off the Eagles’ banged-up interior line to generate push up the middle on every snap and allowed Barkley and Bigsby to find space with lead blockers on the outside. Relying more on off-tackle runs is more sustainable and impactful than even using six-man o-lines. Also, keeping Bigsby involved would be a logical move. He’s got more explosion than last year’s top backup, Kenneth Gainwell, and more carries for Bigsby as the season progresses can keep Barkley fresh without the offense losing too much punch.

    Speed up the offense

    The offense is typically at its best when using no-huddle. Jalen Hurts has always been excellent at deciding when to speed up tempo, and when to dial it back. No-huddle has always helped keep the offense on schedule and, at the right times, has prevented the defense from being able to substitute. It wears down opponents and keeps situational pass rushers from getting on the field at any time. The Eagles need to get their plays in quicker in the second half and take advantage of no-huddle to move the chains more efficiently, which should positively impact their third-down offense, which so far this season has been underwhelming.

    Get A.J. Brown more involved, the right way

    The Eagles don’t need to pander to him, per se. This isn’t about the squeaky wheel getting greased. It’s about finding better ways to get the ball in the hands of their most dynamic playmaker on designed pass plays, not just freelance routes or comebacks. For whatever reason, the Eagles haven’t capitalized on Brown’s biggest strength – YAC yards. He’s on pace for just 192 YAC yards, per NFL Pro, which would be the fewest of his career and more than 150 YAC yards fewer than last season. They don’t get him involved enough in the intermediary game, with routes designed to have him catch the ball and turn upfield. Sure, he’s an amazing deep threat on the Go route, but there’s more variety to his game than he’s been able to show in the first half.

    Figure out CB2

    There’s no question the top priority for the Eagles’ defense is figuring out its best option at CB2. Spoiler alert: It isn’t Adoree’ Jackson or Kelee Ringo. The Eagles also traded Sunday with the Ravens for cornerback Jaire Alexander, but buyer beware. The low price tag on the former Packers corner who made three Pro Bowls but only played two games this year is telltale. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio needs to get Jakorian Bennett on the field – and Bennett needs to stay healthy – so the Eagles can find out if they guy traded for in training camp can shore up a very important spot on the defense. If Bennett can be that guy, the Eagles can keep Cooper DeJean in the slot and be comfortable with their nickel package, which is their predominant defense. They’d be better off this way. If Bennett can’t hold down the spot, Fangio needs to bite the bullet and move DeJean outside, with new addition Michael Carter II working the slot.

    Find best four-man pas rush

    The Eagles were at the best defensively last year when Fangio could rely on his four-man rush to disrupt and harass quarterbacks, and then have seven in coverage with a mix of zone and man and post-snap movement. This year, because of injuries and the lack of an elite edge rusher, Fangio has had to blitz more and play more man coverage. That’s a tough way to live when the opponent becomes the Packers, Lions, Cowboys or other teams that have good quarterbacks and an array of playmakers. But Fangio’s edge rush will be getting a boost with the returns of Nolan Smith and Brandon Graham. Jalyx Hunt has played better going into the bye after a so-so start and Josh Uche has played consistently well throughout the season. We’ll see if the Eagles added to this group before the trade deadline. The Athletic reported they’ve checked in on Jaelen Phillips from the Dolphins and Jermaine Johnson from the Jets, along with inquiring on Trey Hendrickson of the Bengals. Either way, Fangio has options and just needs to find the best four-man rush so he can get back to blitzing less and playing more zone.

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    Geoff Mosher

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  • The Eagles needed Tank Bigsby, and he trucked straight through the Giants

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    Saquon Barkley pulled up limp along the sideline and exited the game with what was ruled a groin injury soon after, then Jalen Hurts went 16 yards backwards on a sack from an attempt to escape the pocket gone awry. 

    The Eagles were faced with a long 2nd-and-26 at their own 40 early into the fourth quarter, still leading the rival New York Giants by 11 at that point Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, but under a scenario where they’ve allowed too many of their games to be much closer than they probably ever really needed to be. 

    Then the Eagles ran the ball out of the gun with Tank Bigsby. He made a cut back to his right at the line, turned the corner into space, then trucked through the remaining Giants defenders who were suddenly flailing to stop him short of the marker. 

    They couldn’t. 

    Bigsby made it 29 yards for the first down and then some, flexing after the whistle to the roar of the Philly crowd, all celebrating that huge down and distance erased.

    A few plays later, Hurts found tight end Dallas Goedert on a clear path to the end zone for a touchdown that shifted the Eagles into cruise control. 

    They went on to win 38-20. Bigsby crashed through the Giants’ defense a few more times after that first big run to set up one more Philadelphia touchdown and to top out at 104 yards rushing for the day. He joined Barkley, who finally broke out to 150 yards rushing himself, to help put together what was clearly the Eagles’ best running effort of the season and to send the team breathing easy into a much-needed bye week at 6-2. 

    But moreover, when Barkley exited early in the fourth quarter with injury, Bigsby stepped up. 

    Barkley told reporters afterward that the injury wasn’t anything too concerning and that the Eagles could’ve put him back in if they needed him, but Bigsby prevented the risk. 

    He got them to the finish line in a big way, and seemed to be just waiting for that chance.

    “There’s a reason we traded for him,” head coach Nick Sirianni said of Bigsby postgame. “Really explosive runner. You see that, we see that all the time in practice, and as he’s caught up to our system and everything that we do, learning it, he’s gotten more opportunities, and it’s been fun to see him run with the football.”

    In Sunday’s win, Bigsby’s opportunity jumped to nine carries, which proved more than enough to break the 100-yard rushing mark at an average of 11.6 yards per carry against an ailing Giants defense.

    Originally, when the Eagles acquired him from the Jaguars back in early September for two 2026 late-round draft picks, the general thought was that he would be for kick return help since second-string running back and returner Will Shipley was down with injury. 

    The listed 5-foot-11, 215-pound back runs with considerable power, though, and after this week – and with the bye week ahead to plan – maybe Bigsby’s showing against the Giants was enough to work toward more of a two-headed rushing monster between Barkley and himself in the offensive backfield. 

    After all, as slow as Barkley’s start to the year has been up until Sunday, the Eagles still do need to be considerate of his carries after heavy usage last season if they hope to make it to the end again.

    Plus, even though Bigsby has only had 10 carries total between this week against the Giants and last week’s win over the Vikings in Minnesota, it’s still a pretty impressive sample size at an average of 11.5 yards per carry. 

    Not a lot, for sure…

    “But we know we can count on him,” Sirianni said. “He can run violently, he can make you miss, he’s explosive, he can hit a home run, so I’m excited about what he brings to the table.”

    “Just thankful for the opportunity,” Bigsby told reporters from the Eagles locker room postgame. “Because I’ve always been ready when my name gets called.”

    Tank-Bisby-Run-Eagles-Giants-Week-8-NFL-2025.jpgBill Streicher/Imagn Images

    Tank Bigsby makes a couple of Giants miss in the fourth quarter of the Eagles’ 38-20 win on Sunday.

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    Nick Tricome

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  • Will Shipley Out with Fractured Rib; Tank Bigsby Added for Depth – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    This blog contains links from which we may earn a commission.Credit: Pixabay

    The Philadelphia Eagles’ running back group underwent a dramatic change following Week 1 of the season.

    Rookie running back Will Shipley suffered a fractured rib and is expected to miss playing time, which leaves a significant gap in the backfield.

    To quickly address this issue, Philadelphia executed a trade for Tank Bigsby, who now enters the rotation behind Saquon Barkley and A.J. Dillon. Barkley, who had already praised Shipley as one of the “smartest” players in the running back room, made it clear how meaningful this setback is for the team.

    This article details the impact of Shipley’s injury, the timeline for his return, Bigsby’s potential usage, and how this affects the overall rotation and dynamics in the Eagles’ offense.

    Will Shipley’s Fractured Rib

    Will Shipley’s fractured rib is a serious blow for Philadelphia, both in terms of health and offensive depth. Rib injuries are notoriously painful and can limit a player’s breathing, mobility, and ability to withstand hits. The expected recovery timeline indicates he will miss at least multiple weeks, which forces the coaching staff to reconfigure the backfield immediately. For a team that values versatility and depth at running back, losing Shipley early in the season removes an explosive option who had impressed teammates and coaches with his preparation and vision.

    Saquon Barkley’s Reaction to Shipley’s Setback

    Star running back Saquon Barkley emphasized just how big the loss of Will Shipley is by calling him one of the “smartest” players in the RB room. Such a statement highlights Shipley’s mental sharpness and football IQ, qualities that often separate rookies who adjust quickly from those who take longer to adapt.

    Barkley’s recognition reflects Shipley’s preparation in learning the offense, understanding protections, and applying instincts on the field. This endorsement underscores that the Eagles are losing more than just a body in the rotation—they are temporarily without one of their most promising young contributors.

    Philadelphia’s Quick Response with Tank Bigsby

    PHOTO: Pixabay

    The Eagles wasted no time once Shipley’s injury was confirmed. Their front office moved decisively to acquire Tank Bigsby via trade, ensuring that the backfield would not be left exposed. Bigsby arrives with the chance to carve out a key role, particularly in special teams contributions and situational rushing opportunities. His arrival not only stabilizes the depth chart but also adds fresh energy to the group at a critical time.

    Tank Bigsby’s Fit in the Eagles’ Offense

    Tank Bigsby’s running style makes him a natural fit for Philadelphia’s offensive system. Known for his physicality, vision, and ability to push through contact, Bigsby complements Saquon Barkley’s dynamic explosiveness and A.J. Dillon’s downhill power. The Eagles rely on a mix of outside zone and gap schemes, and Bigsby can handle both with efficiency. His versatility also positions him as a valuable option in case of further injuries, as well as someone capable of handling 10–12 touches when needed.

    A.J. Dillon’s Interim Role

    With Shipley sidelined, A.J. Dillon steps into a more significant role alongside Barkley. Dillon’s bruising style suits short-yardage and red-zone situations, giving the Eagles reliability when drives stall near the goal line. His role as the interim second option means he will shoulder a heavier load until Bigsby acclimates to the playbook.

    The combination of Dillon’s power and Barkley’s explosiveness provides balance while easing Bigsby into his responsibilities.

    Backfield Rotation After Bigsby’s Arrival

    The introduction of Bigsby reshapes the rotation entirely. Barkley remains the undisputed RB1, but Dillon now splits meaningful carries while Bigsby rotates in with targeted opportunities. Coaches may give Bigsby reps on special teams to maximize his immediate impact before gradually increasing his offensive snaps. Given how crucial depth can be in the early weeks, bettors and fantasy players alike often revisit their NFL picks when new contributors like Bigsby enter the picture—especially if volume and snap share projections shift.

    Special Teams Boost from Bigsby

    One often-overlooked detail of the trade is Bigsby’s potential role on special teams. His physical running style makes him a candidate for kick return duties or as a coverage player on punt units.

    By excelling in these areas, Bigsby can immediately repay the Eagles for acquiring him while strengthening the overall roster’s versatility. His ability to contribute beyond running back duties makes the trade a smart insurance policy for Philadelphia.

    Long-Term Impact on Philadelphia’s Depth

    The NFL season is grueling, and injuries to running backs are common. By acquiring Bigsby now, Philadelphia ensures that its depth chart is prepared not just for Shipley’s temporary absence but also for the possibility of future setbacks. This foresight minimizes risk and strengthens the team’s resilience over a 17-game schedule, where having three capable backs is often the difference between stability and offensive drop-offs.

    Team Dynamics After the Adjustment

    The addition of a new running back inevitably changes the locker room dynamic. Fortunately, Barkley and Dillon bring leadership and professionalism, which helps integrate Bigsby quickly. The team’s ability to adapt to sudden changes reflects the culture built in Philadelphia—a culture that emphasizes resilience, accountability, and readiness.

    How Bigsby bonds with teammates both on and off the field will be critical for ensuring chemistry during this adjustment period.

    Recovery Outlook for Will Shipley

    A fractured rib often sidelines players for several weeks, depending on severity and healing speed. For Shipley, returning too early risks reinjury or worsening the damage. Medical staff will prioritize complete healing before clearing him to absorb contact again.

    While missing early-season reps hurts development, Shipley’s intelligence and preparation mean he should reintegrate quickly once healthy. His eventual return will give Philadelphia another valuable piece to fuel their playoff ambitions.

    Final Thoughts on Philadelphia’s Depth Move

    Philadelphia’s proactive decision to acquire Tank Bigsby demonstrates an understanding of the importance of depth in the modern NFL. The Eagles avoided panic by securing a capable back who can contribute immediately while awaiting Shipley’s recovery. Barkley continues to lead the group, Dillon fills the interim gap, and Bigsby provides flexibility across offense and special teams.

    This calculated adjustment ensures Philadelphia remains competitive despite the early setback, showing once again why roster depth and smart mid-season moves define successful teams.

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