Back Issue Hampering Jordan Matthews


Jordan Matthews couldn’t pinpoint exactly when his back began bothering him, but knew the ailment had advanced beyond the normal aches and pains that come with an NFL season late last week.

“It’s one of those things that kind of just like over time, and then just kind of crept up on me,” Matthews explained. “There’s soreness; everybody is hurt. You never think it’s going to be anything like big but then on Saturday I kind of noticed it was really bothering me to the point where I was like, ‘I need to talk to somebody.’  I called the staff and they’ve been really instrumental in helping me out so far. It just hasn’t been feeling that well, that’s all.”

Matthews sat out of Tuesday’s practice and appeared to be in some discomfort as he addressed the media at his locker later that afternoon.

Asked if he’d be able to play the Cardinals if the game was today, he responded: “Well, no. Unfortunately, no. I wouldn’t be able to, probably. That’s why we’ve got a week.”

Matthews was a late addition to the injury report on Saturday and was listed as questionable for the Bills game. He played but was limited to three catches for 19 yards on five targets. Pat Shurmur called his efforts “courageous.”

“I guess the biggest thing that you’re worried about is just overcompensating and then end up possibly doing something else [to your body],” said Matthews. “I was able to come out of the game with still only my back being kind of the problem. Without going too much into it, it’s definitely something I’ve gotta kind of monitor because it’s not feeling too well right now…

“I want to get healthy so I can get back to being myself and feeling like myself and being able to play again.”

Corner concerns

Meanwhile, on the defensive back front:

Byron Maxwell was not on the practice field Tuesday, and did not make an appearance in the locker room afterwards. The first injury report of the week comes out Wednesday.

Rookie Eric Rowe injured his right ankle in the fourth quarter against the Bills. It was heavily taped on Tuesday and he walked with a bit of a limp in the locker room, but he was able to practice and will presumably play on Sunday against Arizona.

The other corner options, should the Eagles be without one of their current starters on the outside, includes E.J. Biggers, Jaylen Watkins and Denzel Rice.

Guards Allen Barbre and Matt Tobin sat out practice. For his part, Barbre suggested it was just “good management” by Chip Kelly and the training staff.

Herremans waived

Longtime Eagle Todd Herremans was released by Indy Tuesday.

Herremans began the season starting at guard for the Colts before being replaced in the lineup a few weeks in.