Ryan Mathews
RB FA
Tue 8/15/17 11:58 AM

After passing a physical Tuesday, Mathews (neck) was released by the Eagles, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
The move will save the Eagles $4 million in salary cap space, with free agent addition LeGarrette Blount poised to head the team's 2017 backfield. Now that he's been cleared following offseason surgery to address a herniated disk in his neck, Mathews will look to catch on elsewhere. There are several teams in need of running back depth, but first Mathews will need to re-prove his health/conditioning in order to be in a position to make a run for a starting job, wherever he lands.

Ryan Mathews
RB FA
Tue 8/15/17 11:05 AM

Mathews (neck) has been medically cleared, with a decision on his future likely coming at some point Tuesday, Zach Berman of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
EDGE Analysis
The Eagles widely are expected to release the 29-year-old running back, who carries a non-guaranteed $4 million base salary. It seems Mathews' only chance to stick with the team would involve taking a pay cut to something much closer to the veteran's minimum. He does still have time to find a new team before Week 1, though it'll be tough to earn a meaningful role at this stage.

Ryan Mathews
RB FA
Mon 8/14/17 4:50 PM

Mathews (neck) returned to Philadelphia on Monday to meet with the Eagles' medical staff, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
EDGE Analysis
Mathews is set to undergo a scan on his herniated disk and meet with team doctors Tuesday, at which point he could be cleared as healthy. Should that happen, however, the Eagles are then expected to release Mathews, which would save them $4 million in cap space. In 13 games last season, the 29-year-old averaged 4.3 yards per rush en route to 661 yards and eight touchdowns, and caught 13 passes for 115 yards and another score.

Ryan Mathews
RB FA
Fri 8/11/17 11:46 PM

Mathews (neck) will have a scan on his herniated disk next week and will be released if he passes, Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News reports.
EDGE Analysis
This just confirms what has long been suspected: that Mathews would be let go as soon as he was healthy. The move makes too much sense for the Eagles as they stand to save $4 million in cap space by releasing him and already have plenty of depth at RB without him. He will then look to latch on with another team before the start of the season.

Ryan Mathews
RB FA
Mon 7/31/17 4:24 PM

Mathews' (neck) future with the Eagles is not expected to be determined until he's 100 percent healthy again, but he remains away from the team while continuing his rehab for the time being, NFL.com's Conor Orr reports.
EDGE Analysis
Mathews is working his way back from a herniated disk in his neck that required surgery and ended his 2016 campaign after 13 games. Although Mathews has been plenty impactful since arriving in Philadelphia in 2015, evidenced by his 1,200 rushing yards on nearly 4.6 yards per carry and 16 total touchdowns, his lengthy injury history as well as the Eagles' depth at running back casts doubt over his future with the team. Furthermore, by releasing Mathews, Philly could save roughly $4 million in cap space. While that seemingly leaves the organization with a straightforward decision to make, Mathews' fate ultimately won't be determined until he can take a physical and prove he's fully healthy again.

Ryan Mathews
RB FA
Sun 7/23/17 7:15 PM

Mathews (neck) has been excused from training camp, Dave Spadaro of the Eagles' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
This all but confirms Mathews will be sent packing once he passes a physical to prove he's recovered from the neck injury that curtailed his 2016 season, since cutting the 2010 first-rounder would save Philadelphia roughly $4 million in cap space. However, Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News reported that Mathews likely won't be re-evaluated until "sometime in August", so it still may be a while until that comes to fruition. For now, the Eagles will open training camp with LeGarrette Blount, Darren Sproles and Wendell Smallwood leading the charge at running back.

Ryan Mathews
RB FA
Tue 7/4/17 9:20 AM

The Eagles are still waiting for Mathews (neck) to be able to pass a physical before they release him, Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
The Eagles don't want to release Mathews with a failed physical designation, which likely would require a significant injury settlement, given his $4 million base salary. Mathews also has some incentive to hurry things along, as he'll have a better chance of making an impact this season if he finds a new team before the start of training camp. The Eagles seem content to move forward with LeGarrette Blount, Darren Sproles, Wendell Smallwood and Donnel Pumphrey in the backfield.

Ryan Mathews
RB FA
Thu 5/11/17 8:28 AM

Mathews (neck) is still likely to be released, PhillyVoice.com's Jimmy Kempski reports.
EDGE Analysis
Mathews was cleared to resume working out around the time of the draft, and while he still hasn't passed a physical, the Eagles likely expect him to do so before the start of training camp. The team apparently intends to release him with an injury settlement even if he can't pass a physical, ready to move forward with a backfield led by Wendell Smallwood (knee), Darren Sproles and fourth-round rookie Donnel Pumphrey. Philadelphia could look to add some size to its backfield through free agency or a trade, as LeGarrette Blount remains unsigned and a few teams appear to have at least three or four competent runners.

Ryan Mathews
RB FA
Sun 4/30/17 1:28 PM

Mathews (neck) has been cleared to work out, Martin Frank of the Delaware News Journal reports.
EDGE Analysis
General manager Howie Roseman said as much following the conclusion of the NFL Draft on Saturday. During the event, the Eagles expressed a pseudo vote of confidence in its existing running back corps, bringing in just Donnel Pumphrey in the fourth round. Before he can begin fending off the likes of Darren Sproles and Wendell Smallwood (knee) in the offseason program, Mathews' primary hurdle remains his recovery from surgery on a herniated disk in his neck. Although Mathews is now able to work out, the extent of his activity is unknown upon the completion of Phase 1 of the program this past week.

Ryan Mathews
RB FA
Tue 3/7/17 1:03 AM

Eagles GM Howie Roseman said last week that Mathews was doing well as he recovers from surgery on his herniated disk, Calkins Media reports. "Ryan is doing great and we full expect him to be ready to play," Roseman noted at the Combine. "He's under contract and it's as simple as that at this time."
EDGE Analysis
It has been speculated that Mathews will be released to bring the Eagles $4 million in cap relief, but Roseman would not comment on the situation since league rules prohibit cutting an injured player. The running back will be entering his age-30 season in 2017 and has always struggled with injuries and ball-control issues, but he should be healthy by the time next season begins and able to contribute wherever he ends up. Wendell Smallwood (knee) and Darren Sproles remain in the fold for the Eagles, but the club is likely to try and bring in additional help via free agency or the draft, if Mathews is in fact let go once he's healthy, according to Philly.com.