Who Should I Start? MarShawn Lloyd or Will Shipley

Tuesday, August 26, 5:11 PM

Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) was placed on Injured Reserve on Tuesday and has been designated to return, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. It means that Lloyd can return after missing the first four games of the 2025 campaign. Head coach Matt LaFleur had already said that the oft-injured second-year RB would miss time to start the year due to a hamstring injury that he suffered in the preseason finale last weekend. The 24-year-old cannot seem to shake his hamstring injuries, as he also dealt with the same issue in his rookie season, among other things, and ended up suiting up in just one game. Green Bay has a bye in Week 5, so the earliest Lloyd can return will be in Week 6 on Oct. 12 versus the Cincinnati Bengals. Fantasy managers can avoid him for now in 12-team leagues, while Emanuel Wilson becomes the primary handcuff option for those that draft Josh Jacobs.

Tuesday, September 2, 4:33 PM

Philadelphia Eagles running back Will Shipley comes into his second NFL season serving as backup to star RB Saquon Barkley. Shipley started the Eagles' first preseason game, finished as the leading rusher after just one quarter of play, then didn't see the field again for the next two weeks. All evidence points to him being the clear number two option out of the Philly backfield. While Shipley may not be the flashiest fantasy option, he could present himself as a valuable bench asset for managers, especially given Barkley's somewhat worrying injury history. He's rostered in just 18% of Sleeper leagues and sits behind one of football's best offensive lines. Shipley isn't ready for fantasy lineups in Week 1 against the Cowboys, but managers should keep an eye on him as a strong handcuff that could win them at least a matchup or two if Barkley goes down.