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Ryan Mathews opens training camp on non-football injury list because of injured ankle

    by Zach Berman and Jeff McLane
    Published 

Ryan Mathews was placed on the non-football injury list Wednesday when he reported to training camp with an injured ankle. Mathews hurt the ankle while training last week.

The injury is not considered serious, according to a league source. It's an unfortunate way for Mathews and the Eagles to begin camp, though. With DeMarco Murray having been traded during the offseason, Mathews is poised to be the Eagles' top running back.

Injuries have been a concern with Mathews. He played a full 16-game season just once in his six-year career. The Eagles are already thin at running back. Darren Sproles is the only rusher besides Mathews with significant experience. Kenjon Barner has only 34 career carries, and Wendell Smallwood, Byron Marshall, and Cedric O'Neal are rookies.

Receiver is added

The Eagles signed wide receiver David Watford, a converted quarterback who worked out for the team during rookie minicamp. Watford played college football at Virginia and Hampton.

He filled a spot previously held by linebacker Travis Long, who was cut Wednesday. Long tried to return from his third torn anterior cruciate ligament. He was in his fourth training camp with the Eagles, but did not appear to fit the new scheme.

The roster is now at 90 players. The team has 89 players in camp, with long-snapper Jon Dorenbos excused until Thursday while participating in the TV show America's Got Talent.

An eye on Boldin

The Eagles had interest in veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin before Boldin signed with the Detroit Lions on Tuesday, coach Doug Pederson confirmed. Boldin, 35, is a three-time Pro Bowl choice who would have added experience to the receiving corps.

"There was a little interest there," Pederson said. ". . . We're continuing to always see about upgrading every position, and he was on the list, obviously. Basically that's where it's at. Nothing has gone forward with that. We're monitoring every roster, every free agent that's out there, and if we can help our team somehow, some way, we'll do it, but right now there's nothing, nothing in the works."