Eagles Expected To Sign RB Mathews

The Eagles will have RB Ryan Mathews in for a visit and are expected to sign him, according to Mike Garafolo of FoxSports.com.

Mathews (6-0, 220) spent his first five seasons with the Chargers, totaling 4,061 yards on 923 attempts (4.4 YPC). He has 146 career receptions, although only nine of those came in 2014. Last season, Mathews carried 74 times for 330 yards in six games. He missed 10 games because of an ankle injury.

The 27-year-old Fresno State product ran a 4.45 coming out of college and was selected in the first round (12th overall). His best season was 2011 when Mathews ran for 1,091 yards and averaged 4.9 YPC. He also caught 50 balls for 455 yards that season and accounted for 13 plays of 20+ yards, earning a Pro Bowl spot.

Injuries have been an issue for Mathews throughout his career. Only once (2013) has he played all 16 games. Mathews has missed 14 games in the past three seasons.

Assuming his health checks out and he signs, Mathews figures to be the Eagles’ lead back in 2015, although it’s still likely that they draft a ball-carrier next month. The Birds also have Darren Sproles and Chris Polk on the roster.

More to come.