Jordan Matthews Worked Out For Eagles
The Eagles’ search for a new wide receiver could lead them to a familiar face. On Tuesday, the Eagles brought in Jordan Matthews for a work out, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter).
Matthews had a pair of stints with the 49ers this season, appearing in a single game (Week 7 vs. the Redskins). He’s also had workouts with the Vikings and Saints, and at only 27-years-old, there’s apparently some hope that the receiver can emerge from his current journeyman status.
Matthews had his best three seasons with Philly between 2014 and 2016, hauling in 225 receptions, 2,673 yards, and 19 touchdowns. However, since suffering a knee injury with Buffalo in 2017, he hasn’t had the same production.
The former second-rounder spent the 2018 season with Philly, hauling in 20 catches for 300 yards and two scores. With DeSean Jackson ailing, the Eagles are predictably in the market for some receiver help. Matthews’ familiarity with the offense could make him a somewhat reliable target for Carson Wentz down the stretch.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/5/19
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Brandon Powell
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR De’Anthony Thomas
- Waived: CB Maurice Canady
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: LB Tim Williams
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Marcus Sherels, RB De’Lance Turner (off Ravens’ practice squad)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: LB Robert Spillane
- Placed on IR: LB Ulysees Gilbert III
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from PUP: G Phil Haynes
- Waived: WR Gary Jennings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on IR: TE Antony Auclair
- Waived: WR Amara Darboh
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/5/19
Today’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OL Anthony Coyle, S C.J. Reavis
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: OL Brandon Hitner
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: DE Michael Onuoha
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: LB Brady Sheldon
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: QB Kyle Shurmur
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: DB Tevaughn Campbell
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DT Bryan Mone
- Released: WR Cody Thompson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DE Quinton Bell
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Rashard Davis
Giants Activate Sam Beal
The Giants activated cornerback Sam Beal on Tuesday, per a team announcement. To make room, they waived safety Sean Chandler. 
The Giants took Beal in the third round of the 2018 Supplemental Draft, but he was forced to redshirt his rookie year after shoulder surgery. There was some talk that Beal could start in 2019, but a hamstring issue cost him most of training camp and the entire preseason and the club was forced to place him on injured reserve in September.
Fun fact: Beal was only the third supplemental draft player ever selected by the Giants in franchise history. In July of 2018, he joined quarterback Dave Brown (first round, 1992) and cornerback Tito Wooten (fourth round, 1994) in the record books.
The 6’1″ cornerback ran a 4.47-second 40-yard-dash leading up the draft and the Giants will finally get to see his speed in action. His debut could come on Sunday, when the Giants face their parking lot rivals (the Jets).
Eagles Waive Andrew Sendejo
The Eagles have waived safety Andrew Sendejo, per a club announcement. Sendejo joined the Eagles in March on a one-year deal, but he won’t get the chance to see it through. 
Sendejo, 32, had his 2019 option declined by the Vikings in the offseason. The move was largely expected after the veteran lost much of the 2018 season to a groin injury. After Sendejo exited the Vikings’ rotation last year, their defense actually improved. In his wake, the Vikings used Anthony Harris, George Iloka, and Jayron Kearse to hold down the fort and saw better results. This year, Sendejo tallied 26 tackles and one sack across nine games for the Eagles, playing mostly as a reserve.
Even though Sendejo is a vested veteran, he’ll be subject to the waiver wire as a post-trade deadline cut.
49ers Promote Elijah Lee
The 49ers promoted linebacker Elijah Lee on Tuesday, per a club announcement. He’ll help fill the void following Kwon Alexander‘s season-ending pectoral tear. 
Meanwhile, the Niners also opened the 21-day practice window for tight end Garrett Celek. Celek started the year on the PUP list after back surgery, but he’s ready to pitch in for the second half of the season. Celek appeared in 15 games last year, hauling in five receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns. He’s scheduled for free agency after the season – and his four-year, $14MM deal – is through.
Lee has 69 tackles, two forced fumbles, and one sack across 30 games for the 49ers over the last two years. He’ll look to add to those totals on Monday night when the Niners take on the Seahawks in SF.
Panthers Place Cam Newton On IR
The Panthers announced that they have placed Cam Newton on injured reserve. The quarterback could theoretically return in January, but in all likelihood, his season is over. 
“For the past seven weeks, Cam has diligently followed a program of rest and rehab and still is experiencing pain in his foot,” general manager Marty Hurney said. “He saw two foot specialists last week who agreed that he should continue that path prescribed by the team’s medical staff, and that it likely will take significant time for the injury to fully heal.
“We have said all along that it is impossible to put a timetable on this injury. Nobody is more frustrated with that fact than Cam. He’s one of the fiercest competitors I’ve been around during my 20-plus years in the League. At this time, we have decided that the best decision to reach the goal of bringing the foot back to 100 percent is to place Cam on injured reserve.”
Before 2018, Newton missed only three starts in seven years. But, last year, things changed drastically, starting with a shoulder injury that required surgery. This year, he’s been hampered by a mid-foot sprain that won’t go away.
In his two games this year, Newton completed 50-of-89 passes for 572 yards and zero touchdown passes with one interception. Meanwhile, he’s due $19.1MM (non-guaranteed) with a $21.1MM cap number in 2020.
Jaguars To Start Nick Foles
Nick Foles is the Jaguars’ new starting quarterback, head coach Doug Marrone announced. Foles is ready to rock after recovering from a broken collarbone and Minshew’s rough outing against the Texans in London cost him the No. 1 gig. 
“It’s not one game,” Marrone said of the QB situation on Sunday, after the Jags took the L in London. “It’ll be a body of work.”
Foles’ body of work, which includes a Super Bowl ring, trumped Minshew’s largely impressive, but occasionally rocky, rookie season. There’s still hope for Minshew, but the Jaguars gave Foles a hefty contract this offseason for a reason. The veteran probably gives the Jaguars their best shot to win right now and turn their 4-5 season around.
Foles’ longstanding relationship with offensive coordinator John DeFilippo probably played a role in the decision as well. DeFilippo saw the Super Bowl LII MVP at his very best and believes that he can eek out an encore in 2019.
Thanks to the four-year, $88MM deal he signed with Jacksonville in the offseason, Foles is under contract through the 2022 season.
Titans’ Malcolm Butler Done For Season?
Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler could be done for the season, head coach Mike Vrabel says (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of the team’s website). Butler broke his wrist on Sunday and that could spell a bad break for the 4-5 Titans. 
Surgery is a possibility for Butler, who is in Year 2 of a five-year, $61MM deal. So far this year, he has two interceptions and 32 tackles to his credit with starts in every game.
Butler landed awkwardly after trying to defend against Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel in the end zone. Samuel scored, Butler grabbed his wrist, and the Panthers went on to win 30-20.
The sixth-year veteran has started every game for the Titans over the past two seasons. This year, Butler ranks as Pro Football Focus’ No. 43 overall cornerback. The Titans have devoted considerable resources to this position, with Butler joining fellow eight-figure-per-year player Logan Ryan and recent first-rounder Adoree’ Jackson. The latter two will have to pick up the slack in Tennessee.
Raiders Work Out D.J. Swearinger
The Raiders will work out D.J. Swearinger on Monday, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). The safety has been on the open market since late September when the Cardinals cut him loose. 
Before his release from Arizona, Swearinger started in all four of the Cardinals’ September games and played on every single snap. After viewing Swearinger as one of the NFL’s better safeties from 2016-18, Pro Football Focus ranked the seventh-year veteran as its No. 73 safety through the first quarter of the season. On the flipside – he’s still only 28 and the former second-round pick boasts 70 career starts for the Cardinals, Texans, Redskins, and Buccaneers.
Swearinger could join the Raiders’ safety group hours after Karl Joseph broke up Matthew Stafford‘s pass to seal the win against the Lions. The Raiders now sit a 4-4 with a chance to get above the .500 mark with a win over the Chargers on Thursday night.