Hand injury for Matthews? Peters should be OK for Dallas

Sources close to the situation said Jordan Matthews suffered a hand ligament injury three weeks ago that supposedly has resolved, as the Eagles' wide receiver has labored with dropped passes.

Left tackle Jason Peters' dramatic exit from Sunday's loss with back spasms looked more ominous than it was; a source said Peters should be OK when the team returns from the bye to play Dallas.

Fans who said on social media that they met Matthews at a recent appearance said his hand was swollen and he did not shake hands. Asked about a hand injury after the Carolina loss, Matthews hesitated, then denied an injury.

Drops were a central issue in the Eagles' 27-16 setback to the host Panthers.

Peters left that game on a cart in the second quarter, amid all the trappings of a serious injury -- praying teammates, well-wishes from opponents -- but apparently, he has a chronic back problem that flared up, and he was much better by the time the team got back to Philadelphia early Monday.

The Eagles moved Matt Tobin from right guard to left tackle when Peters went down, and brought in Dennis Kelly at right guard. They run-blocked very well but ended up allowing five sacks and lots of pressure on Sam Bradford.

The Eagles are entering their bye week 3-4, with a lot of questions about their identity.