Is it Matthews vs. Maclin for Eagles?
PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - The Eagles are looking outside the organization for help at receiver and the search is involving familiar names.
First up on Tuesday was former Eagles receiver Jordan Matthews, who was first spotted at the NovaCare Complex by 6ABC's Jamie Apody and then confirmed by multiple reporters, including 973espn.com.
Matthews, a close friend of Carson Wentz, was traded to Buffalo, along with a 2018 third-round pick, last summer for cornerback Ronald Darby.
He suffered through an injury-plagued year, catching just 25 passes for 282 yards and a touchdown before moving to New England in free agency back in April. The Pats reached an injury settlement with Matthews in August, who was dealing with a hamstring issue, and he has been on the street since.
During his first three NFL seasons in Philadelphia, Matthews averaged 75 receptions per year. He's not a speed receiver, however, and would likely be used in the slot meaning Agholor would have to play outside, something the Southern Cal product struggled with during his first two pro campaigns.
Seemingly Philadelphia would want some help at the position by Sunday against Indianapolis because the team has only three healthy receivers on the roster in Nelson Agholor, Kamar Aiken and Shelton Gibson after DeAndre Carter was waived to make room for running back Josh Adams, who was promoted from the practice squad because of injuries to Jay Ajayi (back) and Darren Sproles (hamstring).
WR1 Alshon Jeffery is still at least a week away from action as he continues to rehab from offseason shoulder surgery and Mike Wallace underwent surgery Tuesday for a fractured fibula suffered at Tampa on Sunday.
Nothing was done on the Matthews front as Tuesday afternoon turned to Tuesday night although an NFL source told 973espn.com that Matthews was hopeful a deal would be reached in time for practice on Wednesday.
A curveball was thrown at that scenario by John Clark of NBCSports Philadelphia, who reported that the Eagles have an eye on another former receiver for the team in Jeremy Maclin.
Maclin, though, is dealing with a leg injury and is not ready for an immediate workout but hopes to be ready soon.
The question is can the Eagles wait or perhaps could they add both?
"When we put game plans together, we try to utilize our zebra, 11 personnel, 12 personnel, with the two tights [ends] and all that kind of stuff," coach Doug Pederson said earlier this week. "I think in the past we have had some advantages there from a personnel standpoint. But we're dealing with [injuries] right now. We're working through it, and we'll see where we're at on Wednesday when we go to practice."
-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen