Jordan Matthews Expected to Miss a Few Days of Patriots Training Camp With Tweaked Hamstring
Matthews should be back on the field practicing for the Pats later this week.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Jordan Matthews runs the ball after a catch against the Oakland Raiders at New Era Field. (Photo Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports)
(Photo Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports)Patriots wide receiver Jordan Matthews is expected to miss "just a few days" of practice after tweaking his right hamstring on Sunday. The Boston Globe's Jim McBride was first to report the news on Twitter.
Matthews, 26, is vying for a roster spot at a relatively murky WR position for the Patriots. Behind Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan, the depth chart is wide open as far as receivers expected to contribute on offense. Cordarrelle Patterson and Matthew Slater are virtual locks to make the 53-man roster as special teamers.
But it's Matthews, always more of an inside receiver despite standing at 6-foot-3, who has some of the best odds to be a good fit for Tom Brady and the Patriots offense - if he can stay on the field. He and Brady have at times done extra work on the field after the conclusion of practices.
(Photo Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports)Buffalo Bills wide receiver Jordan Matthews runs with the ball after a catch against the New York Jets. (Photo Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports)
Matthews has also been dogged by injuries in recent years, missing eight games over the past two seasons. He dealt with injuries to his chest and thumb during the 2017 season, his only with the Buffalo Bills. The chest injury caused him to miss most of the preseason, while he missed one regular season game after thumb surgery. He eventually went on injured reserve in December, however, due to surgery on both his ankle and knee. Those ailments had lingered from his time with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The wideout blamed the Eagles' medical staff for "two really bad diagnoses" during an interview on SiriusXM in March, about a month before he signed with the Patriots. Hopefully, he can avoid the same kind of turmoil with New England's medical staffers.
Matthews' injury will be one to monitor in light of his recent history of getting banged up over the course of the season. Hamstring injuries tend to linger if not treated quickly and effectively, so for him the hope is that he can swiftly get back to full strength in a few days and get back to gelling with Brady.
— By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
