PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - The knee injury to wide receiver Jordan Matthews has forced the Eagles to add a reinforcement at the position by signing free agent Deon Long.

A University of Maryland product who once combined with Minnesota Vikings starter Stefon Diggs in College Park, Long originally signed as an undrafted free agent with Tennessee after catching 51 balls for 575 yards and two touchdowns with the Terrapins in 2014.

Long was eventually released by the Titans and subsequently spent time on the practice squads of both the Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams last season. He was released by the now-Los Angeles Rams on July 31 and stayed unemployed for less than a week.

Matthews injured his left knee Friday after a big hit from rookie cornerback Jalen Mills jarred a Sam Bradford pass loose. It was a low hit that could have Mills in some hot water with the coaching staff as the veteran receiver was down for a bit before limping off the field.

Coach Doug Pederson confirmed the injury at his post-practice press conference and said Matthews is being evaluated but later told SiriusXM NFL Radio that "Everything is fine with Jordan Matthews, just going to be sore for a couple days."

That's a huge sigh of a relief for a team that is considered thin at the position with Matthews in the lineup as an amalgamation of free-agent pickups Rueben Randle and Chris Givens, along with disappointing youngsters Nelson Agholor and Josh Huff, have been rotating with the first unit as Pederson and offensive coordinator Frank Reich search for a competent three-wideout group when the team is in 11 personnel.

Of the younger receivers, Pederson said that Paul Turner has been the standout, while Cayleb Jones impresses due to his measureables but needs more consistency.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen

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