The Eagles are finally cutting Ryan Mathews. The running back was released on Tuesday morning after receiving medical clearance, the team announced.
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The Eagles decided to move on from Mathews months ago, but they have been waiting for him to first get the green light on his injured neck from team doctors. Had the Eagles released Mathews before getting medical clearance, they would have had to pay him $1.15MM in injury protection. Instead, he’ll count against the cap for just $1MM in dead money while saving the club $4MM.
“We want to thank Ryan for his contributions to the Philadelphia Eagles over the past two seasons,” the team said in a statement. “We spoke today and had a productive conversation about his future and the direction of our team going forward. First and foremost, we are glad that Ryan is healthy and has been cleared to return to football activities, but given the current state of our running back position, we feel like it is best for both sides to go in a different direction. We wish him all the best as he continues his career.”
Mathews‘ season ended in December when he suffered the painful neck injury. Even with that injury plus the MCL sprain he was dealing with, he still managed to turn in a decent season. In 13 games, he had 661 yards off of 155 carries for an average of 4.3 yards per attempt. He also had eight rushing touchdowns plus 13 catches for 115 yards.
With Mathews out of the picture, the Eagles plan to use Blount, Darren Sproles, and Wendell Smallwood as their top backs. Fourth-round pick Donnel Pumphrey and Byron Marshall are also pushing to make the 53-man cut.
giants??
Would be a good fit, but I feel like they want to see Perkins take the starter’s role. I feel like Matthews will go to the first team who suffers a serious injury to a top RB, that he won’t sign until close to the end of camp.
My first though too
chargers do not really have a viable back up to Gordon. reunion?
Cowboys? Steelers?
Steelers that would be nice backup for bell.
They just aren’t going to spend what Matthews wants. Nor should they, because I think they like James Connor and are going to give him every chance to be Bell’s backup.
Packers need to scoop him up real fast before anyone notices he’s a FA. I don’t like having 2 rookies and a WR playing RB for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Hurt enough that they can’t bring him
Back but healthy enough to pass a physical so they can cut him and not be on the hook for the $$$$. Shame, because despite his fumbles and ability to stay healthy when he played he played hard and was a good RB to have. Wish him well wherever he lands.