Minor NFL Transactions: 11/7/19
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Waived from injured reserve: S Damian Parms
New York Jets
- Activated from non-football injury list: CB Bless Austin
- Placed on injured reserve: S Rontez Miles
- Waived: LB B.J. Bello
Oakland Raiders
- Promoted: LB Quentin Poling
Philadelphia Eagles
- Claimed off waivers (Vikings): S Marcus Epps
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: T Sam Young
NFC East Rumors: DJax, Cowboys, Peters
Here’s a look at the NFC East:
- The Eagles have yet another medical controversy on their hands with the DeSean Jackson situation, as Les Bowen of the Inquirer writes. The Eagles allowed Jackson to try to heal his core muscle tear through rest and rehab, but medical sources say it’s rare for an explosive athlete like Jackson to be able to function effectively without surgery.
- On Wednesday, Cowboys defensive lineman Daniel Ross was arrested on Possession of Marijuana and Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon charges, according to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas News (on Twitter). Ross, 26, appeared in 13 games for the Cowboys last year but has been on IR this season due to a shoulder injury.
- Jason Peters will regain his left tackle job once he’s healthy and back in the regular lineup, head coach Doug Pederson says (via E.J. Smith of The Inquirer). The 37-year-old has missed three straight games with a knee injury, but ranks as Pro Football Focus’ No. 9 tackle this year.
Vikings Claim Andrew Sendejo
The Vikings claimed safety Andrew Sendejo off waivers from the Eagles, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’s a reunion for the vet and the Vikes – Sendejo spent eight seasons in Minnesota up until this year. 
The Vikings had the opportunity to keep Sendejo through 2019, but they elected to put him on the free agent pile by waiving his option. He would have earned $5.5MM had he stayed. Instead, the Vikings dropped that entire number from the cap and set the wheels in motion for him to sign a one year deal with Philly.
Now, he’s back, but at a much lower rate. He’ll have his first chance to don purple again on Sunday, when the Vikings take on the Cowboys.
Eagles To Sign WR Jordan Matthews
The Eagles have agreed to sign wide receiver Jordan Matthews after working him out on Tuesday, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Matthews began his career in Philadelphia after entering the league as a second-round pick in 2014. The Vanderbilt product went on to post the best three seasons of his NFL tenure, averaging 75 receptions, 891 yards, and six scores per year. The Eagles shipped Matthews to the Bills as part of the Ronald Darby trade in advance of the 2017 campaign, and he’s bounced around ever since.
Matthews landed with the Patriots in 2018, but he was released with a settlement after suffering a knee injury. The now-27-year-old then started his second stint in Philadelphia, but played sparingly and managed only 20 receptions for 300 yards. This year, Matthews has already had two stints with the 49ers, and was most recently released in late October.
The Eagles’ offense has struggled since losing DeSean Jackson in Week 1; Jackson was just placed on injured reserve, so he won’t be returning this season. Matthews certainly isn’t a like-for-like replacement, as he’s hardly a downfield threat like Jackson. But Matthews can offer a familiarity with Philadelphia’s offense while likely seeing time in the slot.
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.
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.
DeSean Jackson To Undergo Surgery
UPDATE, 3:39pm, 11/5/19: The Eagles ended up placing Jackson on injured reserve, the team announced on Twitter. The receiver could potentially return for a playoff run, although it seems more likely that his season is over. He’ll likely end the 2019 campaign having appeared in just one full game plus a couple of snaps last week.
2:40pm, 11/4/19: Following a two-touchdown Week 1, DeSean Jackson has seen an injury define his 2019 season. The premier deep threat’s rebound opportunity will have to wait, and such a chance may not happen at all this year.
Jackson will undergo core muscle surgery Tuesday in Philadelphia, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Jackson returned to action after six missed games Sunday but aggravated the abdominal injury that has plagued him for weeks.
While it’s certainly not a lock Jackson will play again this season, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com notes (via Twitter) this surgery is expected to sideline him for at least six weeks. That would put a possible late-regular-season return, or a playoff cameo should the Eagles get that far, in play. Still, this is a blow for an Eagles passing game that peaked in Week 1 with Jackson healthy.
The Eagles sent the Buccaneers a sixth-round pick for Jackson, a 2008 second-rounder who rose to prominence in Philadelphia. After dominating in his first game back with Philly, Jackson could not shake this injury he suffered in Atlanta. While the team initially decided to treat this injury with rehab, the parties opted for surgery after the aggravation.
Jackson had one season remaining on his Bucs contract at the time of the trade, but he and the Eagles agreed on a three-year, $27MM deal shortly after. Realistically, Jackson is tied to the Eagles through at least 2020. He’s on their books through 2021, but the dead-money hit reduces to $5MM-plus after the ’20 season.
Philadelphia has struggled to generate consistent play from its receivers. Jackson replacement Mack Hollins and Nelson Agholor have contributed little to the cause in weeks, with Alshon Jeffery averaging just 10.8 yards per reception.
Bears Almost Traded Up For Sanders
- Miles Sanders has played a big role for the Eagles this season, and he racked up 73 yards in their win over the Bears on Sunday. Apparently, as the rookie revealed to the media earlier this week, he almost ended up in Chicago. “I thought I was going to end up there,” Sanders said of the Bears, who didn’t have a pick in April’s draft until the third round, via Zach Berman of The Athletic. “They knew I was probably going to be gone before the third round, but they were also talking about trading up to get me,” he said. The Penn State product was the second running back taken in the draft, and the Bears ended up nabbing David Montgomery in the third round. Sanders has been a part of a timeshare backfield with Jordan Howard so far.
Jordan Howard Wants To Stay In Philly
Running back Jordan Howard had somewhat of a breakout game last week during the Eagles’ win over the Bills, and now he’ll have a chance at revenge when he takes on the Bears on Sunday. Chicago, of course, shipped him off to Philly back in March. Howard got less and less productive toward the end of his time in Chicago, and he’s clearly enjoyed the change of scenery. Speaking to the media recently, the fourth-year back and impending free agent said he knows exactly where he wants to sign in the offseason. “I would love to be back,” Howard said, per Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports. “I’m loving Philly. So I would definitely love to be back. I’m loving my teammates and the city. I would definitely love to be back.” Howard turned 25 today (happy birthday Jordan), and has formed a solid one-two punch with rookie Miles Sanders. The Eagles’ running game has been a weakness the past couple of years, but it seems like things could finally be turning a corner.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/30/19
The latest NFL practice squad moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: LB Del’Shawn Phillips
Houston Texans
- Signed: DB Anthony Chesley, DT Eddie Vanderdoes
- Cut: DT Javier Edwards
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LB Keishawn Bierria
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: P Jack Fox
New England Patriots
- Released: OT Aaron Monteiro
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Leo Koloamatangi
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
New York Giants
- Cut: LB Jake Carlock
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DT Bruce Hector, TE Scott Orndorf
- Released: CB Ajene Harris
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DE Bryan Mone