NFL

9 NFL Veterans Whose Jobs Are Safe From 2017 Rookies

Joe Redemann  —  @TheIDPGuy May 12th, 2017
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​Ryan Mathews

Speaking of injuries, the Philadelphia Eagles’ Ryan Mathews is no stranger to the trainer's room.

Mathews is coming into the 2017 offseason recovering from a serious neck surgery, and seems to be wrestling with soft tissue injuries and clavicle fractures nearly every week. Last year, Mathews -- who is one year shy of the big three-oh, the age at which running backs theoretically go into decline -- put up 0.01 Rushing NEP per attempt on 155 totes, the 17th-most among the 42 running backs to top 100 carries in 2016.

Cutting Mathews would free up $3 million this year for the Eagles, so his name has been bandied about as an offseason casualty.

Fortunately for him, the Eagles only invested a fourth-round pick in a running back this year. Prolific receiver/diminutive runner Donnel Pumphrey projects more as Darren Sproles' replacement than a between-the-tackles back like Mathews. Undrafted Corey Clement also joins this group, but he underwhelmed dramatically at the NFL Combine and poses little threat to Mathews this year.

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