Ryan Mathews out vs. Packers; no decision on Nelson Agholor's status

Eagles running back Ryan Mathews is out for Monday's game against the Green Bay Packers, coach Doug Pederson announced Saturday. Mathews has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee and has not practiced all week.

"He had a pretty significant knee [injury]," Pederson said. "…There is a concern that it could linger. …We've just got to find out next Wednesday where he's at."

Rookie Wendell Smallwood will pair with running back Darren Sproles as the top running backs with Mathews absent.

The Eagles will also miss right tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who also has a sprained MCL. Allen Barbre will start at right tackle, with Stefen Wisniewski at left guard.

Sproles (rib), defensive end Connor Barwin (knee), and cornerback Leodis McKelvin (concussion) will all play Monday.

Pederson has not yet made a decision on whether wide receiver Nelson Agholor will be active. Pederson said he's "not ruling him out yet," and the Eagles are preparing five wide receivers to play. That includes Agholor and Paul Turner.

In all 10 games this season, the Eagles have had four running backs and four wide receivers active. With Mathews down, they could play three running backs and five receivers. Pederson said that's a possibility, but he wouldn't commit to anything with Agholor until the week is finished.

"He's had a good week of practice," Pederson said. "I feel his mind has been in a good spot. He's done everything right this week, so it's hard to say at this point that he'd be the odd man out. …I think I'm convinced on what he's done this week. …It's more or less I want to get through these next couple of days in practice."

zberman@phillynews.com

@ZBerm