Ben VanSumeren was carted off with a knee injury in the Eagles’ season opener. Here’s the injury update, how it affects the Eagles (and Will Shipley), and what fans should watch.
Quick snapshot — Ben Vansumeren Injury
Philadelphia Eagles fullback Ben VanSumeren was carted off with a serious knee injury on the opening kickoff of the Week 1 season opener vs. the Dallas Cowboys and was ruled out for the remainder of the game, leaving the Eagles thin at fullback and on special teams.
What happened — the play and immediate reaction
On the very first kickoff of the game, VanSumeren was involved in a special-teams tackle when he went down holding his knee. Broadcast replays showed medical personnel immediately attending to him; he was visibly upset and left the field on a cart. The Eagles quickly ruled him out for the game as trainers evaluated the injury. Local and national outlets reported the same sequence live.
The incident triggered an extended delay, and the chaotic opening minutes were compounded when defensive lineman Jalen Carter was later ejected during the stoppage — but VanSumeren’s injury was the first and most tangible blow to the Eagles’ depth.
Injury Update: FB Ben VanSumeren (knee) is out.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 5, 2025
The injury severity — what clinicians and reports are saying
Initial reports indicate the injury is to VanSumeren’s knee and has raised concern for a possible ACL tear, which would sideline him for an extended period and could mean a season-ending outcome. Multiple outlets described the situation as “feared season-ending” pending imaging and official team medical updates. At this stage, teams typically await MRI results before confirming the diagnosis and timeline.
That said, the team’s immediate ruling him out of the game and subsequent carting-off behavior are commonly associated in the NFL with a serious ligament or structural knee injury. We must wait for scans and a formal team medical statement to know the exact nature and recovery timetable.
Who is Ben VanSumeren — background and role with the Eagles
Ben VanSumeren (often stylized “VanSumeren”) is a multi-role player: a physical fullback and special-teams ace who made Philadelphia’s initial 53-man roster in 2025 and was expected to contribute on special teams and in short-yardage/lead-blocking situations. He was listed on the roster behind the new-look backfield and had earned praise in camp for his blocking and tackling on kick coverage. VanSumeren’s presence also fit into the Eagles’ plan to resurrect a situational fullback role this season.
Before the injury, beat writers and team insiders expected him to be a reliable, physical matchup player who could carve out snaps on special teams and occasional offensive packages. Losing him removes a veteran special-teams piece and a potential short-yardage contributor from the active rotation.
Immediate roster and game-plan impact
With VanSumeren ruled out, the Eagles had to shuffle special teams and short-yardage roles. Backup plans included cross-training running backs (notably Will Shipley) and promoting practice-squad or depth players for kick coverage snaps. Sports reporters noted the Eagles used a mix of Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley and A.J. Dillon in the game’s early snaps, and Shipley in particular had some early rushing work that highlighted his role flexibility.
From a schematic perspective, the Eagles’ attack relies less on true fullback snaps in modern NFL offenses, but VanSumeren’s role on kickoff and punt coverage — plus his blocking on certain two-back looks — is meaningful. He also provided veteran presence on special teams units that are often overlooked until injuries occur. Expect the Eagles to evaluate options on the practice squad and free-agent wire immediately to plug the hole for Week 2.
What this means for Will Shipley and the RB room
Will Shipley (“Shipley Eagles” / will.shipley) saw some early action in the game and now projects as a more important depth piece while VanSumeren is out. Although Shipley is a running back by trade, his versatility — receiving and blocking chops — makes him a natural short-term substitute in special teams and certain two-back or H-back packages. The Eagles had listed Shipley as a key depth back on their 53-man roster and he gained early-season confidence with a few early carries in the opener.
Fantasy and roster managers should watch SnapCounts and official injury reports; if VanSumeren’s injury requires long-term absence, Shipley’s role on special teams (and occasional offensive snaps) will likely increase. The team may also consider signing a veteran fullback or elevating a practice-squad option to permanently restore special-teams chemistry.
[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]
Timeline & next steps — what fans should watch
- MRI Confirmation: The first official public step is the MRI. The Eagles’ medical staff will release results once available. Until then, the “ACL feared” phrasing is preliminary.
- Official Injury Report / Week 2: The Eagles will update the league injury report and roster transactions by Week 2; any IR placement or new signings will be listed publicly.
- Roster Moves: Expect the Eagles to explore free-agent fullbacks, sign a special-teams stable veteran, or promote a practice-squad contributor if VanSumeren is out long-term.
Broader context — special teams, fullback usage, and team depth
The incident is a reminder of how quickly special-teams injuries can reshape an NFL roster. While the fullback position is less prominent offensively in many systems, the role’s contributions on kickoff and punt coverage, lead blocking, and short-yardage situations are often decisive. The Eagles clearly planned to use VanSumeren in those rotational duties; now the front office and coaching staff must adjust quickly to avoid weakening the team’s units that rely on cohesion and trust.
Additionally, vanishing depth at a position that overlaps with special teams can have cascade effects: if the team elevates a running back to cover special teams, that reduces rotation options on offense and could increase wear on Saquon Barkley and others. This is exactly the kind of roster stress that can influence late-season fatigue and availability.
Fan reaction & social media pulse
Fans and local beat writers reacted immediately — many expressed sympathy for VanSumeren and concern for the team’s special-teams units. Social posts and short-form videos that captured the cart-off moment circulated widely online and amplified the sense of a tough, unfortunate turn early in the season. Beat writers also noted the emotional effect on the locker room when a teammate goes down in his role — especially one who had fought for a roster spot and embraced the fullback identity.
Five load-bearing facts (with sources)
- Ben VanSumeren was carted off with a knee injury on the opening kickoff and was ruled out of the game.
- Initial reports raised concern for a possible ACL tear, though MRI confirmation is pending.
- The Eagles had VanSumeren listed on their initial 53-man roster as the team’s fullback and special-teams contributor.
- Will Shipley and other backs saw expanded early snaps and become more important depth pieces after VanSumeren’s exit.
- The injury caused an early game delay and compounded a chaotic opening that included Jalen Carter’s ejection.
Final take — what the Eagles must do now
Losing Ben VanSumeren early is a punch to the team’s special-teams plan and a reminder that roster depth matters. The Eagles will likely move quickly to plug the hole — either by elevating from the practice squad, signing a veteran fullback/special-teams ace, or relying on hybrid running-back personnel like Will Shipley to cover the duties. For fans, the priority is clear: wish VanSumeren a full recovery, and watch the official medical updates closely. The team’s front office and coaching staff will have to make smart, calm roster decisions to prevent a small void from becoming a season-long liability.