Mathis: Kelce Could Be Back For Texans Game

Evan Mathis provided an offensive line progress report Monday, and it was all good.

During an appearance on Philly Sports Talk, Mathis revealed that he has been cleared to return to practice. Players who are placed on short-term injured reserve are allowed to practice after six weeks and return to game action after eight weeks. The first game he is eligible to play in is the Monday, November 10 matchup against Carolina.

Both Mathis and Jason Kelce had targeted Nov. 10 as their return date. According to Mathis, Kelce could be back even sooner than that.

“I think Jason is ahead of schedule,” said Mathis. “He might try to get back on the field soon, maybe this week, to see how it feels. And if things go well for him he could possibly play against the Texans. Possibly.”

Kelce has been out since suffering a sports hernia injury against Washington in Week 3. David Molk has done his best to hold down the fort in Kelce’s absence.

“I think David has done a good job, but David just hasn’t been Jason,” said Chip Kelly. “Jason is truly the quarterback up there.  It’s like when you lose a DeMeco [Ryans] on the defensive side of the ball.  You’ve got a guy who has a really high football IQ in Jason, and David is just getting a little bit more comfortable in it.  But I think he’s actually communicated well.”

Matt Tobin has seen most of the snaps at left guard in place of Mathis, who suffered an MCL sprain in the opener against Jacksonville.

As a result of the Lane Johnson suspension and the injuries that followed, the projected starting five has not been on the field together yet this season. That could change very soon.