USA Today
Jordan Matthews Returning for a Third Time
Maybe the third time will be the charm for Jordan Matthews.
The Eagles are bringing the receiver back for this third stint with them in hopes that he can do something that neither Mack Hollins nor J.J. Arcega-Whiteside has been able to do since September, and that is catch a football.
Matthews, 27, confirmed the signing on his Twitter account, though the Eagles have not yet made it official.
After being drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Matthews has become a journeyman. He was traded during training camp in 2017 to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for Ronald Darby, who remains one of the Eagles’ starting cornerbacks, though he has had trouble staying healthy.
The trade was a surprise given the good friendship that Matthews and quarterback Carson Wentz had developed.
Matthews played 10 games with the Bills and was released. Early into last season, he returned to the Eagles and played in 14 games, but was ultimately released again and picked up by the 49ers, who cut Matthews prior to the start of the season but brought him back in early October before cutting him again on Oct. 26 after trading for Emmanuel Sanders.
Now, Matthews is back for another go-round with the Eagles, who are desperate for receiving help, especially after DeSean Jackson’s regular season came to an end on Tuesday after he had surgery to repair a core muscle that had torn off the bone and was placed on Injured Reserve.
Before being traded, Matthews played 46 games and had 19 touchdown catches.
Last year, when he returned for a second time, Matthews had 20 receptions for 300 yards and two scores.
Without Jackson, the Eagles can only hope Matthews provides a much-needed boost that Hollins and rookie second-round draft pick Arcega-Whiteside have not been able to do.
Hollins has gone five straight games without a catch and has rarely been targeted despite playing 184 offensive snaps in that span. His last game with a catch was on Sept. 26 when he made one reception for 13 yards in a win over the Green Bay Packers. Or the season Hollins has 10 receptions for 128 yards and no touchdowns.
Arcega-Whiteside has been even less productive than Hollins. In 178 snaps, Arcega-Whiteside has just two catches for 14 yards this year, with his last reception coming on Sept. 22 in a loss to the Detroit Lions.
Even the Eagles veteran pass catchers are struggling.
Alshon Jeffery had three drops and suffered an ankle injury late in the game, the extent of which is unknown since the Eagles are on their bye week, and Nelson Agholor has been inconsistent, looking more like his 2015 and 2016 self than the Agholor of 2017 when he played a pivotal role in the Eagles’ run to the Super Bowl title.
“They have been good, but I would say they haven't been great,” said head coach Doug Pederson about Jeffery and Agholor. “I think they would echo that. I think Alshon yesterday had some opportunity and had chances and I believe he would own up to that to make some of the catches that he missed (Sunday). So he's a professional about it, and Nelly is the same way.”
Maybe Matthews will do enough to stick around this time.
