Patriots Release WR Jordan Matthews (Updated)
The Patriots’ wide receiver corps just got a lot thinner.
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)
(Photo Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports)The Patriots have released wide receiver Jordan Matthews amid reports of a significant hamstring injury. The team officially announced the move on Wednesday.
Signed after a one-year stint with the Buffalo Bills that came with 25 catches and 282 yards in 10 games, the decision to move on from the 26-year-old Matthews comes in a week where he's missed practice due to an apparently significant hamstring injury.
Matthews' release leaves the Patriots with 11 wideouts on their roster, but with the majority of them having little to no real NFL experience that's comparable to Matthews impact in a four-year career spent between the Bills and Philadelphia Eagles. And considering the other health concerns at an already inexperienced receiver position (Kenny Britt and Malcolm Mitchell are also dealing with injuries), Matthews' departure is one that opens the door for someone outside the organization.
This could be the chance that Eric Decker, who reportedly worked out with the Patriots on Monday, has been waiting for. The veteran Decker expressed an interest in coming to New England earlier this offseason.
