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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles turned to a familiar face to bolster their depleted receivers corps.
The defending Super Bowl champions signed wide receiver Jordan Matthews on Wednesday, reuniting him with close friend Carson Wentz in time for the quarterback's return from injury.
"We're excited to get him back," coach Doug Pederson said. "He knows our offense. I think it's huge. It has a comfort level for the quarterback knowing that you got another receiver that we brought in from the outside who has worked with him in the past. I just think it can be a benefit to Carson."
Mike Wallace was placed on injured reserve after suffering a broken fibula in a 27-21 loss at Tampa Bay.
Matthews played his first three seasons with the Eagles before he was traded to Buffalo in August 2017. He signed with the Patriots in April but was released during training camp after he injured his hamstring.
"Free agency can go one of two ways," Matthews said. "You can get a contract, get paid a ton of money, get on your high horse. Or you can have injuries, have adversity and there's the humility aspect of it. I've been humbled through this experience. I took stuff for granted. Now I'm being thankful for every single day. I know I can be the bottom guy on the roster and it's been a real blessing for me."
A 2014 second-round pick from Vanderbilt, Matthews averaged 75 receptions, 891 yards and six touchdowns per season in Philadelphia. He had 25 catches for 282 yards and one TD in 10 games for Buffalo.
The Eagles (1-1) are still missing top receiver Alshon Jeffery following offseason shoulder surgery. Mack Hollins and now Wallace are on IR.
Matthews has been a slot receiver throughout his career. Nelson Agholor thrived in that role after Matthews was traded. Pederson wouldn't commit to moving Agholor outside, but that's most likely.
"We move our guys around so much," Pederson said. "You see Nelson inside, you see Nelson outside, and that could be by formation, just matchups and different things. Nelson has been a really big part of the offense so far and in both spots, inside and outside. He's obviously done a great job blocking in the run game, and then in the passing game to be able to be outside as well. So, moving him around has been beneficial for us."
NOTES: RB Jay Ajayi (back), RB Darren Sproles (hamstring), LB D.J. Alexander (knee) and LB Nathan Gerry (groin) didn't practice. Jeffery and LT Jason Peters (quadricep) were limited in practice.
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