Mathis Has MCL Sprain

Evan Mathis has an MCL sprain and is expected to miss multiple games, a sourced confirmed to Birds 24/7.

The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane was first with the report.

The sprain isn’t Grade 1 and likely Grade 3, which could take anywhere from 4-8 weeks to return from. The Eagles may opt to place Mathis on Injured Reserve-designated to return, which would keep him off the roster for eight weeks. Mathis will get a second opinion on Wednesday.

Allen Barbre, who has been filling in for the suspended Lane Johnson at right tackle, has a high ankle sprain and could be out for several weeks, a source said. Barbre will see a foot specialist this week.

The news could have been worse. When the All-Pro left guard went down in the second quarter Sunday against the Jags, the fear was that he would be lost for the season.

“I just heard him start screaming and I looked back and he is on the ground,” said Jason Peters. “And I was like, ‘Man, it must be bad if he’s laying on the ground like that.’

“We were running  an inside zone to [our side], and when you’re doing that you’re blocking a guy and everybody is coming this way, and he got rolled up on. I almost got rolled up on that same play. It’s a bad deal.”

Andrew Gardner replaced Mathis at left guard briefly but was quickly forced over to right tackle when Allen Barbre sustained a right ankle injury.  David Molk, the only other reserve lineman active, filled in at left guard. The Eagles are operating without Lane Johnson for at least the first four games of the season as he serves his suspension. The primary backup behind Barbre, Matt Tobin, is dealing with an ankle injury and did not dress Sunday.

Assuming Tobin is unable to go against the Colts, Gardner could get the call again at right tackle. Dennis Kelly, who was inactive for the Jags game, is an option at guard in place of Mathis.