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Ever since Frank Gore decided to abandon his agreement with the Eagles on Monday evening, Philadelphia has been looking for a new running back. It appears they may have found their new guy.
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According to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports 1, Philadelphia is hosting Mathews for a visit on Wednesday. Even more, he also adds that the team is expected to sign him.
Rotoworld's Evan Silva predicted that the Eagles could have interest in Mathews. Here's what he wrote on Tuesday prior to the start of free agency:
"The Eagles traded LeSean McCoy, then pursued Mark Ingram and Frank Gore in free agency. It seems Chip Kelly is intent on implementing an inside zone-power run game emphasizing north-south running after McCoy's east-west style left yards on the field last season. Mathews is as fragile as they come, but his running mentality would fit the revised system."
Mathews' injury history is definitely concerning. He's only played all 16 games in one season of his five-year career. He suffered an MCL injury in 2014 before returning to only suffer an ankle injury.
The 27-year-old running back be turn 28 in October. At 6-2, 220 pounds, he's obviously a bigger back relative to what the Eagles had with LeSean McCoy.
The Fresno State alumnus was the No. 12 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He started 53 games in 62 career appearances with the San Diego Chargers. He rushed for 23 touchdowns and 4,061 yards on 330 attempts (4.4 average). He also contributed with 146 receptions for 1,110 receiving yards and one touchdown Mathews has fumbled 15 times over five seasons.
If/when Mathews officially signs, the Eagles will have five running backs under contract: Mathews, Darren Sproles, Chris Polk, Matthew Tucker, Kenjon Barner.