‘Sometimes You Get Lit Up’

PHILADELPHIA — The collision was vicious, the type of hit that wouldn’t have surprised you if the pad-popping sound had reverberated all the way up to the Northwest Stadium press box.

The Washington Commanders had just punched it in for their first points of the afternoon two Sundays ago, courtesy of a six-yard touchdown connection from quarterback Jayden Daniels to wide receiver Jamison Crowder.

Eagles running back Kenny Gainwell fielded the ensuing kickoff, darting toward the left sideline. Leading the way as his personal protector was rookie running back Will Shipley, who got blown up on the play as Gainwell churned ahead for a 26-yard return.

As Shipley will tell you, he did his job. His guy never got to Gainwell.

But the sequence that followed served as a reminder of the inevitable toll the game can take. Shipley got to his feet, seemingly collecting himself for a moment before retreating to the sideline.

He promptly took his helmet off and took a knee. Moments later it was revealed that he was being evaluated for a concussion.  Shortly after, he was ruled out.

Shipley wasn’t able to clear concussion protocol in time to make last Sunday’s Week 17 game, an Eagles steamrolling of the Dallas Cowboys at home.

But Sunday’s season-finale at Lincoln Financial Field should allow him to end the regular season on a high note. With many of the team’s starters slated to rest this week to gear up for postseason play, reserves such as Shipley will have the opportunity of undertaking a larger role.

For many, it will be their first crack this season at logging significant snaps.

Could this be the week Shipley finds the end zone?

As part of an Inside The Birds “Rookie Diary” series, I’ll be checking in with Shipley throughout the season, learning more about the first-year running back and chronicling his rookie campaign.

On Friday, we chatted for our 14th installment.

GETTY IMAGES: Eagles RB Will Shipley should see plenty of action along with other reserves in the season finale.

Andrew: How challenging was it for you not being out there last week?

Will: “It’s always tough. It’s the game I grew up playing, the game I love. So, being around these guys and with them every day, it’s always a joy watching them. But I love to be out there with them. It’s tough; injuries are a part of the game, something you just have to deal with as long as you play the game. Not much you can really do about it. But always miss being out there with the guys.”

Andrew: I watched the play, where you were lead blocking for Kenny. Do you have any recollection of that play? Will: “Yeah, yeah. Hey, sometimes you get lit up. That’s part of the game, too. Not much I can really say about it other than props to the guy who hit me. He did his job. I think I actually did my job, you know, he didn’t get to Kenny, which is my No. 1 thing as his personal protector on that kickoff. But yeah, sometimes you get licked and ain’t much you can do about it.”

Andrew: What’s this week of practice been like for you?

Will: “It’s been awesome. Really hasn’t been much different than any other weeks, other than getting a couple more reps. And just being able to communicate with the guys, working with Tanner [McKee], working with the o-line that we got in there, it’s been a blessing.”

Andrew: What are you looking to showcase this week?

Will: “Preparation. That’s the first word that comes to mind. It’s tough to go out there and say, ‘Oh, I wanna do this. I wanna have this many yards…’ Naw, I just wanna go out there and show I’m very focused on my details, I’m very focused on the fundamentals of what it takes to be great. And if the product that comes with that is really good – which I expect it to be – then I think I’ll have fun.

“But maybe if the product isn’t as great, but I still got my details and fundamentals down and I grade out right, I’ll have fun, too. At the end of the day, I’m just playing the game I’ve been playing since I was a little kid. And I’m just gonna go out there and enjoy it.”

Andrew: We’ve talked a lot this season about ‘this could be the week you do this or that.’  You know this is going to be the week you have that opportunity. What’ll be going through your mind pregame?

Will: “I think it’s tough to say. I don’t think I’ll know until I’m really there. I can tell you, maybe been a little more nervous this week –  not even nervous – just, when you know something is coming up and you know how much you’ve dedicated your life to it and just how much work you put into something, you want it to go right.

“And at the end of the day, it’s out of your hands. It’s up to God and the way that He’s ordained it. So, you gotta take the punches as you go and always punch back. But like I said, I’m just gonna go out there, I’m gonna have fun. Think after those first couple plays, everything will come to realization of like, ‘This is the game I’ve been playing since I was six years old.’ I think it’s just gonna be a ton of fun. I’m excited to go out there and make some plays.”

Andrew: I know your mom and dad will be there. Do you have anything special planned for if you do find the end zone? We’ve talked about it before, leading into the Carolina game.

Will: “Naw. It’s funny, me and my fiancee were coming up with – and not only this week – we’ve been doing it for 16 weeks of just different funny celebration dances, whether it’s a big tackle or a touchdown. So, I think we’ll probably have to go through the inventory and see what’s available, see what we can go with. And if a big play comes up, maybe pull one out of the bag.

“But we’ll see. You saw after the Bengals almost touchdown, I had something planned, but my adrenaline was so darn high, I couldn’t do anything to celebrate and have fun. So, it could be that, or it could be something else. We’ll see.”

Andrew: How has Saquon [Barkley] helped you get ready for this week?

Will: “I wouldn’t even say specifically to this week, but just the whole time I’ve been here, he’s been preparing me. Just the different things he teaches and preaches and leads. He’s the leader of our running back room. And he’s done such a great job of that. So, just making sure that I go there and do what I know how to do, but also the stuff that he’s taught me along the way.”

Andrew: If you had to pick one thing you’ve taken from his game and applied it to yours, what would it be?

Will: “I would say the ability to make people miss. And not only that, but just to be downhill. He’s such a hard guy to tackle, and that’s the name of the game at running back. If you don’t get tackled one-on-one then you’re a pretty darn good back. And he rarely ever does. So, just trying to take that and bring it into my game as much as I can and go out there and do it on Sunday.”

Andrew: Where’d you watch the game last week? Your reaction when Saquon cleared 2,000?

Will: “I was fist-pumping up and down. I was just at the house. Won’t say I wasn’t allowed to go to the game, but was advised not to go to the game just ’cause of how loud it would be and the different, dangerous situations you could put yourself in.

“I was sitting there on my couch watching. I was counting down the yards and saw he was close. And I got a pretty good idea of what’s gonna be called when I see them line up in the formations. All that stuff. So, knew it was right around the corner and was able to celebrate and cheer him on.”

Andrew: What’s one thing you’re working on this week that you hope carries over to Sunday?

Will: “I’d say, just with punt, being out there as the personal protector. Taking a week off – not a week off, having a concussion for a week – everything comes at you fast. So, I’ve been preparing really hard this week. Ready to go. The New York Giants have a really good rush team, so expecting to see some stuff from them. So, just making sure that I lead that group … make the right calls and pick up guys and make sure 10 [Braden Mann] comes out of there clean.”

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.