Ryan Mathews Injury: Updates on Eagles Star's Ankle and Return

Philadelphia Eagles running back Ryan Mathews was dealing with an ankle injury that limited him during Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he is ready to return.

Continue for updates.

---

Mathews Active vs. Lions

Sunday, Oct. 9

The Eagles announced Mathews is available against Detroit in Week 5.

Head coach Doug Pederson told reporters on Friday that Mathews was "feeling good" after "a great week of practice," per Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer.  

On Oct. 5, Pederson told reporters that Mathews is healthy and will remain the Eagles' starting running back, per Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network previously reported that Mathews' ankle "stiffened," so he was held out of the 34-3 victory over the Steelers in Week 3. Mathews had two carries for minus-five yards.

---

Latest on Mathews' Practice Status

Friday, Oct. 7

Tim McManus of ESPN.com reported Mathews was a full participant in Friday's practice.

---

Mathews Expected to Carry the Load After DeMarco Murray Trade

In Mathews' absence during Week 3, Wendell Smallwood gained 79 yards on the ground, while Kenjon Barner picked up 42, and each player found the end zone. Darren Sproles also caught six passes for 128 yards and a touchdown.

Mathews tallied 539 rushing yards, 146 receiving yards and seven total touchdowns for the Eagles last season and also has two different campaigns with more than 1,000 rushing yards on his resume. The 2011 Pro Bowler and former first-round pick is shifty in the open field and is a capable receiver in the passing attack.

So far, Mathews has 104 yards and three touchdowns on the ground this season.

While the Eagles will miss Mathews’ skill set if he sits out games in the future, they do still have Sproles in the backfield. Sproles has made a living as a dangerous threat in the aerial attack and boasts eight straight seasons with more than 300 receiving yards coming into 2016, including 2011, when he posted 710 for the New Orleans Saints.

If Mathews is sidelined again moving forward, Smallwood and Barner will look to split time in the ground game, while Sproles will continue to test defenses as a pass-catcher.