Eagles place Tank Bigsby on IR as Saquon Barkley doubtful for Week 5

The Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive depth took a major hit coming out of their Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Running back Tank Bigsby will undergo surgery to address a core-muscle issue and has been placed on injured reserve, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The move means Bigsby will miss at least four games, and Rapoport adds his recovery could stretch to roughly six weeks.

Bigsby to IR, Barkley trending toward Week 5 absence

Bigsby was hurt during Sunday’s 24-20 defeat, a game in which the Eagles surrendered a 10-point fourth-quarter lead and fell to 2-2. He was thrust into the lead role early after Saquon Barkley exited in the first quarter with a hamstring injury. Bigsby finished as Philadelphia’s top producer from scrimmage, logging 55 rushing yards on 14 carries.

Barkley’s situation appears less severe but still worrisome in the short term. Rapoport reports that the three-time Pro Bowler is viewed as week-to-week, which casts doubt on his availability for Sunday’s matchup against the 3-1 Jacksonville Jaguars in London. A source told Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer that Barkley is unlikely to suit up, leaving the Eagles without both of their top backs.

At the moment, rookie Will Shipley stands as the only healthy running back on the active roster. Philadelphia also has Dameon Pierce, Carson Steele and Jaydon Blue on its practice squad, giving the team internal options if a promotion or roster move becomes necessary later in the week.

Pass-catching weapons and offensive line also depleted

The backfield injuries come on top of significant absences in the passing game. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert were already sidelined against the Rams, and the offense struggled badly without that trio of skill players, managing just 172 total yards in the loss.

In the trenches, the news is not much better. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that interior offensive lineman Cam Jurgens reported concussion symptoms on Monday and has entered the league’s protocol. Jurgens, a two-time Pro Bowl centre, opened the season at that spot but has started three straight games at left guard since Landon Dickerson was placed on injured reserve on September 15.

The switch has been difficult, with Pro Football Focus grading Jurgens near the bottom of qualifying guards. Dickerson is not yet eligible to return in Week 5, and if Jurgens is unable to clear concussion protocol in time, the Eagles may be forced to lean on 2025 undrafted free agent Willie Lampkin and/or sixth-round rookie Micah Morris. Neither has started an NFL game, and Morris only logged his first offensive snap in Sunday’s contest against Los Angeles.

As they prepare to travel overseas to face Jacksonville, the Eagles are confronting major questions in the backfield and along the interior offensive line, while also waiting to see when key pass catchers Smith and Goedert can rejoin the lineup.