Jordan Matthews is on track for Week 1.
The Philadelphia Eagles' No. 1 receiver has insisted he'll be back by the regular season opener, despite sitting out all of preseason due to a knee injury.
On Monday, Matthews will return to the practice field, coach Doug Pederson said.
Getting Matthews back to practice a week before the season is a positive sign for the Eagles and quarterback Sam Bradford.
There are a ton of questions at the receiver position for Philly heading into the regular season. Matthews is the only proven commodity of the group and he works best out of the slot. After the team jettisoned veterans Rueben Randle and Chris Givens on Sunday, it's clear former first-round pick Nelson Agholor will get a chance to prove he deserves to keep a big role on the outside. Josh Huff should also start opposite Agholor. Recently acquired Dorial Green-Beckham will be used as a red-zone target early, with a chance to earn more snaps as the season progresses.
Other injury notes we are tracking Monday:
- Pederson said rookie quarterback Carson Wentz is still dealing with a rib issue. One of Wentz's injured ribs is fully healed, but another remains just 60 percent. Pederson said Wentz won't play in the final preseason game if he's not fully healed by Thursday, and Wentz on Monday told NFL Media's Mike Garafolo that the rib remains sore and he won't play in the preseason finale.
"I was obviously hoping for more time in the preseason but it is what it is," Wentz said. "I'm still trying to learn as much as I can and be ready for Cleveland."
The Eagles will be cautious with their investment -- why stick him out there with a backup offensive line? Given that he's missed the majority of the preseason, it seems unlikely we'll see Wentz at all this season.
"Where we are this late in the preseason, it obviously hurts from a young quarterback standpoint to fully grasp his position," Pederson said. "But (I like) what I see in the classroom and out here (on the field), what he understands and knows. The situation with Sam (Bradford) and Chase (Daniel) and him as the third, it doesn't concern me as much."
- The Patriots' offensive line received good news with the return of guard Jonathan Cooper to practice. Cooper battled a plantar fascia issue early during camp.
- The Ravens are expecting two of their tight ends to return to practice after the preseason concludes Thursday night, saying Dennis Pitta (finger) will be back before Week 1 and Maxx Williams will return shortly after Thursday. Baltimore is also hoping wide receiver Breshad Perriman will play Thursday. Coach John Harbaugh said Perriman will participate if he gets approval from the medical team.
- Bears guard Kyle Long (shoulder) and linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee) did not practice Monday. Tight end Zach Miller and wide receiver Eddie Royal were cleared from the concussion protocol and returned to practice.
- Redskins coach Jay Gruden confirmed that running back Keith Marshall (elbow) will be out for three weeks. Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (groin) is day to day. Running back Matt Jones (shoulder) is progressing nicely.
- Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians told reporters cornerback Mike Jenkinssuffered a torn ACL.
- Falcons safety Keanu Neal had surgery to repair damage in his knee on Monday, and the operation went well, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The AJC also reported coach Dan Quinn expects to have receiver Julio Jones (ankle) back for the season opener against Tampa Bay on Sept. 11.
- Titans coach Mike Mularkey confirmed to reporters that receiver Kendall Wrightre-injured his hamstring.
