Saquon Barkley Missed Practice Again. Believe The Hamstring And Go Get Dameon Pierce.

Degenerates, I would like to enter one sentence into evidence. Wednesday evening, Adam Schefter posted: "No practice again today for both Eagles RB Saquon Barkley and WR DeVonta Smith." I read it again after my second bourbon and cola, and the word again had not moved.

Both men were inactive for Sunday's loss to the Jaguars in London. It is Thursday morning as I type this, nobody has reported Thursday's practice yet, and fantasy managers are sweating the next report. I am here to prosecute what a lot of them are doing while they wait, which is nothing.

The Record As Of Wednesday Night

Jeff McLane's practice report lists Barkley (hamstring), Smith (hamstring/toe) and Will Shipley (foot) among the Eagles who did not practice Wednesday. McLane wrote that Smith "now has a toe injury added to his existing hamstring injury." Earlier that day, he reported that Smith "was doing work on another field, but went indoors".

Then there is the backup plan. On Monday, Schefter reported that Shipley tore part of his plantar fascia in London, an injury that "could sideline him multiple weeks". Tank Bigsby is on IR, and Schefter summed it up: "the Eagles’ RB injuries are mounting."

Next up, the Eagles host Carolina on Sunday, and Rapoport says Panthers QB Bryce Young "has taken as big a step as anyone expected."

Two Habits On Trial

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the first habit is the handcuff on autopilot. Last week a lot of you added Shipley, saw his name on your bench and called the Eagles backfield handled. Schefter's Monday report unhandled it. A back who could miss multiple weeks is no Week 6 plan, however early you claimed him.

Now look at who is missing from Schefter's list of hurt Eagles backs: Dameon Pierce. Matthew Berry wrote Tuesday that "Dameon Pierce should still be picked up in 100% of leagues." Wednesday morning he went further: "If Saquon Barkley misses week 6, I am firing up Dameon Pierce as a top-15 fantasy running back."

The second habit is the shrug. A missed Wednesday is the easiest line on an injury report to wave off. This one followed a game Saquon did not play. Schefter's post said again, and Field Yates opened his with "Still no Saquon".

So here is my rule, and it is all mine: roster for the bad report and start for the good one. Plan as if the hamstring wins the week and go get Pierce now. If Saquon proves me wrong by Friday, I will start him and enjoy every minute of being wrong.

The waiver wire is cheapest on the day you are sure you will not need it.

Gordy, my rule already waits for Friday on the start, and I would like the jury to note how patient that makes me. The roster spot cannot wait. The panic I am prosecuting shows up Sunday morning, when everybody who shrugged all week goes looking for Pierce at once.

Hope Gets Its Hearing

Saquon could practice Thursday or Friday and play Sunday. Berry passed along that "the Eagles are hopeful Saquon Barkley is ready to go for Week 6", and the Eagles know that hamstring better than I do.

Jalen Hurts was a full participant, though McLane noted he "is still listed with a calf injury." That is good news for anybody starting an Eagle.

The team also opened practice windows Wednesday for Jakorian Bennett, Grant Calcaterra, Landon Dickerson and Eli Stowers, per Schefter. McLane says four of the "whopping 25 players" on the injury report are coming off IR with windows open, so part of that crowd is depth on its way back.

What I Am Doing About It

1. I keep Saquon, and he starts if he finishes the week as a full participant. If he misses practice again, I take the hint and start Pierce. A limited Friday is the hard call, and I want Pierce on my bench before I have to make it.
2. I add Dameon Pierce today. Berry wants him rostered in every league, and I agree. If he is on your wire, get him before Thursday's report gives everybody else the same idea.
3. I treat Shipley as unavailable for Week 6. Schefter says the tear could sideline him multiple weeks, and he did not practice Wednesday. Hold him if you have the room, and find your Saquon insurance somewhere else.
4. DeVonta Smith managers need a Plan B today. A toe joined the hamstring this week, and he went indoors Wednesday after working on another field. Line up a receiver you can start, and make the call on Smith after the last report.
5. In dynasty, I hold both. Two hamstrings and a new toe call for patience. If somebody in your league wants to sell either one off a practice report, let them name a price.

One last exhibit, and it is against me. Saturday, in my rebuttal to Gordy's column on this backfield, I bought a ticket to the Shipley show while he pointed at Pierce. Now Pierce is the back Berry wants on every roster. I am a Raiders fan, so I know how to lose an argument in public and come back louder.