Jordan Matthews returns to Eagles after 2017 trade to Buffalo

8:54 AM ET

PHILADELPHIA -- Depleted at wide receiver, the Eagles turned to a familiar face for help, signing Jordan Matthews on Wednesday while placing starting wideout Mike Wallace on injured reserve.

Matthews, a second-round pick by the Eagles in 2014, played in Philadelphia for three seasons, averaging 75 catches, 891 yards and six touchdowns per season over that time. He was traded to the Buffalo Bills prior to the start of last season along with a third-round pick for cornerback Ronald Darby. Hampered by injury, he bounced from Buffalo to New England and was released by the Patriots with an injury settlement in August.

The Eagles are in serious need of depth at the moment, with only three healthy wide receivers on their 53-man roster. Wallace suffered a fractured fibula against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2 and underwent surgery Tuesday. Alshon Jeffery is still on the mend from offseason rotator cuff surgery; coach Doug Pederson recently described him as "week-to-week." And Mack Hollins is on injured reserve with a groin injury.

That left Nelson Agholor, Shelton Gibson and Kamar Aiken to hold down the fort.

Primarily a slot receiver, Matthews is not a perfect fit. One reason he was dealt last offseason is because the Eagles wanted to move Agholor inside, and he has thrived as the team's slot receiver. But Agholor does have the experience and ability to play outside, and Matthews should be able to jump into the fray rather quickly given his familiarity with Pederson's system.

Matthews was valued in the locker room during his first stint with the Eagles and is a close friend of Carson Wentz, who will be making his return from an ACL and LCL injury on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

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