The Philadelphia Eagles have already dealt with a rash of injuries at the wide receiver position this season, and they are bringing back a familiar face to bolster the unit in the meantime.
The Eagles announced on Wednesday that they have signed free agent wide receiver Jordan Matthews and placed Mike Wallace on injured reserve.
Matthews spent the first three seasons of his career with the Eagles, and he enjoyed success for the most part. He caught 16 touchdown passes in his first two years in the NFL and had 73 catches in Carson Wentz’s first full season as Philly’s starter in 2016.
He was traded to the Bills in 2017, where he was limited to 10 games due to a knee injury.
Matthews finished the 2017 season with a career-low 25 catches for 282 yards and 1 touchdown.
He joined the Patriots as a free agent, but suffered a hamstring injury in the fourth practice of training camp. The Patriots had placed Matthews on injured reserve and then reached an injury settlement that allowed him to play again later in the season. He was later released.
Wallace is out indefinitely after suffering a fractured fibula in Sunday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Alshon Jeffery is still recovering from shoulder surgery he had during the offseason. Matthews was with the New England Patriots during the offseason but was released after suffering what was called a significant injury of his own, but the Eagles must feel he is healthy enough to contribute.
Matthews is close friends with quarterback Carson Wentz, who will finally return to the field this Sunday after suffering a season-ending injury last December.
Matthews’s return will add some much needed help to a depleted Eagles receiving corps while allowing Carson Wentz to have a weapon who is already familiar with the offense.
Matthews is expected to play this Sunday when the Eagles host the Indianapolis Colts.
