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Eagles WR Jordan Matthews sidelined by knee injury

Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews is out for a few weeks due to knee issues. Coach Doug Pederson said at his Monday press conference that Matthews is expected to be back on the field for the team's third preseason game, at the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, August 27.

Jordan Matthews will miss "a couple weeks" with a left knee injury he suffered on Friday, coach Doug Pederson said Monday.

Pederson said the tentative plan is for Matthews to return for the third preseason game on Aug. 27. If Matthews is not back by then, Pederson said Matthews would return for Week 1. Pederson did not expect the injury to extend into the regular season.

The injury occurred when Matthews took a lower-body hit from rookie Jalen Mills during a live period in practice. Pederson initially said Matthews would be sore for a few days. He said Monday that there is no structural damage to the knee.

"Just a strain," Pederson said.  "It's just sore. We just got to make sure it's healthy, and he's healthy when he's out there."

Kendricks hurt

Linebacker Mychal Kendricks left practice early Monday with a hamstring injury. Pederson said Kendricks felt "soreness" and "should be fine." Kendricks missed three games last season with a hamstring injury.

Safety Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring), tackle Jason Peters (quadriceps), defensive end Marcus Smith (concussion), defensive tackle Mike Martin (knee), cornerback JaCorey Shepherd (hamstring) and running back Wendell Smallwood (quadriceps) also missed practice due to injuries.

Pederson said Jenkins and Peters are expected back next week for the second preseason game.

No more tackling

The Eagles will no longer tackle in practice. They will still wear pads, but Pederson said the hitting is finished. He added that it was not a response to the injuries suffered during hitting periods but rather the tough days the players have endured.

"I just have to look at the overall health of the football team," Pederson said. "It's not about getting somebody hurt, but it's about protecting the guys out here. They have been doing an excellent job. These last six days have been tough. I wanted it to be tough on them."