Jordan Matthews Will Miss ‘A Couple Weeks’

Plus: Malcolm Jenkins and Jason Peters are expected to return by next week.

Jordan Matthews. (Jeff Fusco)

Jordan Matthews. (Jeff Fusco)

Jordan Matthews is “a couple weeks away” from returning to the field because of his left knee soreness, Doug Pederson said Monday morning after practice. Matthews was hit in the knee by rookie Jalen Mills on Friday, which is when Zach Ertz was also hit low, which prompted the tight end to speak out about low hits delivered by young players.

According to Pederson, Matthews suffered no structural damage, and he hopes the receiver can play in the third preseason game against the Colts. If not, Matthews’ first game will be during Week 1 of the regular season. Pederson doesn’t expect Matthews’ injury to linger past the preseason.

The Eagles’ head coach also called Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring) and Jason Peters (quad) “day-to-day,” as he “fully expects” them to be back next week and prepare for the second preseason game against the Steelers. Mychal Kendricks left practice early Monday with hamstring soreness, though Pederson noted the linebacker “should be fine.”

Sam Bradford was also excused for the rest of the day for a “family issue,” although the quarterback is expected to return Tuesday and play Thursday. Pederson announced that Bradford will start on Thursday, while Chase Daniel is expected to finish out the first half. Carson Wentz will get the “bulk” of the second half, while McLeod Bethel-Thompson will close out the game.

Pederson added that although the Eagles will continue to wear pads, there will probably not be any more live periods in which they tackle to the ground during training camp. He noted that it has nothing to do with the recent injuries several Eagles suffered.

“No, I’m not concerned as much about that. I just got to look at the overall health of the football team,” Pederson said. “It’s not about getting somebody hurt, but it’s protecting the guys that are out here.”