Rishard Matthews

New Orleans Saints
Wide Receiver #18
New Orleans Saints
Wide Receiver #18

Rishard Matthews News

Retires from NFL

Matthews announced his retirement from football, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Analysis: The Saints released Matthews on Saturday after he walked away from the team. He was a long shot to crack the 53-man roster, following a 2018 campaign with five receptions in eight games for the Titans and Jets. The 29-year-old wide receiver enjoyed a productive stretch from 2015 to 2017, averaging 58.6 receiving yards per game with 17 touchdowns in 41 appearances for Tennessee and Miami. He peaked in 2016 with a 65-945-9 receiving line.

Aug 12, 2019 9:08 AM EST


Cut loose by Saints

The Saints released Matthews with a left squad designation Saturday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Since the Titans acquiesced to his request and released him last September, he logged time with the Jets to close out the season but managed just two catches (on three targets) across 58 offensive snaps in five appearances. After the campaign, he was in limbo until the Saints offered him a tryout and signed him at the end of the team's mandatory minicamp. There was little chatter regarding the seven-year veteran in training camp, and he didn't see the field in the Saints' preseason opener Friday. This latter point may have been the final straw for Matthews, but he's officially on the open market again.

Aug 10, 2019 3:00 PM EST



Lands contract with Saints

Matthews signed a contract with the Saints on Thursday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Matthews auditioned at the Saints' minicamp this week and clearly impressed enough to earn a contract, which at least means a continued tryout through the start of training camp. There's still no guarantee Matthews sticks with New Orleans through to the regular season, though the depth chart isn't totally settled under Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn and Tre'Quan Smith either. In eight games with the Jets and Titans in 2018, Matthews caught five passes for 24 yards and no touchdowns.

Jun 13, 2019 1:43 PM EST


Trying out for Saints

Matthews has worked out for the Saints on a tryout basis this week, Larry Holder of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Matthews has reportedly been impressive in the eyes of Holder. At one point, the 29-year-old receiver caught a deep pass from Drew Brees while working with the first-team offense. While it's not clear if Matthews will be asked to stick around, a union with the Saints is probably one of his best-case scenarios as he attempts to resurface in the NFL. Matthews appeared in eight games with the Jets and Titans in 2018 and finished the year with five receptions on nine targets for 24 yards and no touchdowns. He also saw action as a punt returner for the second time in his career, which could help Matthews' case in landing a spot on the 90-man roster.

Jun 13, 2019 11:17 AM EST


Lands on IR

Matthews (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Eric Allen of the Jets' official site reports.

Analysis: Matthews suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday's 29-22 loss to the Texans, the severity of which now lands him on season-ending injured reserve. The 29-year-old caught five passes for 24 yards across three games with the Titans and five games with the Jets this season. Just two years removed from a 65-catch, nine-touchdown campaign, Matthews' future in the NFL is now murky at best.

Dec 18, 2018 4:09 PM EST



Ruled out Saturday

Matthews (hamstring) will not return to Saturday's game, Ethan B. Greenberg of the Jets' official site reports.

Analysis: The official ruling comes late in the fourth quarter when it didn't appear Matthews was any closer to returning. More information regarding the severity of the veteran's injury should trickle out in the coming days.

Dec 15, 2018 4:13 PM EST


Doubtful to return Saturday

Matthews (hamstring) is doubtful to return to Saturday's game against the Texans.

Analysis: Matthews recorded one catch before going down with the aforementioned injury. Andre Roberts and Charone Peake could see a handful more snaps in Matthews' absence.

Dec 15, 2018 3:19 PM EST


Poor season continues

Matthews hauled in his lone target for six yards in Sunday's 27-23 win over the Bills.

Analysis: Matthews is yet to record double-digit yards in a game this season.

Dec 9, 2018 6:19 PM EST


Misses out on revenge game

Matthews (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Titans.

Analysis: Matthews' return to Nashville will come and go without him even getting a chance to play against his former team, as coach Todd Bowles elected to keep all six of the other receivers on the roster active instead. After failing to make an impact in his lone two appearances with the Jets and now a healthy inactive for the second straight week, Matthews could be released before the season ends as the rebuilding Jets kick the tires on younger players.

Dec 2, 2018 11:41 AM EST


Inactive Sunday

Matthews is inactive Sunday against the Patriots.

Analysis: With Robby Anderson back in action, Matthews is the odd man out Sunday. He's thus off the fantasy radar until he carves out a meaningful role in the team's offense.

Nov 25, 2018 8:48 AM EST


May be utilized Sunday

Matthews is a candidate to earn snaps Sunday in Chicago with Quincy Enunwa (ankle) sidelined and Robby Anderson (ankle) doubtful to play, Matt Stypulkoski of NJ.com reports.

Analysis: With the aforementioned duo expected to be out of commission this weekend, the Jets are particularly thin at wideout. Aside from Jermaine Kearse, only Andre Roberts (eight targets) and Deontay Burnett (two) have been on the receiving end of passes from Sam Darnold. Among the rest of the skill positions, Chris Herndon (16), Isaiah Crowell (13) and Eric Tomlinson (10) are the only healthy options that sit in the double-digits in terms of targets. While Matthews has only been with the team since Tuesday, he may be forced to run routes due to the lack of available options. Prior to his release from the Titans last month, he had just three catches (on six targets) for 11 yards. However, Matthews is just two years removed from a 65-945-9 line on 108 targets.

Oct 26, 2018 2:47 PM EST


Reaches deal with Jets

Matthews agreed to a contract with the Jets on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Matthews had been on the market for almost a month after requesting his release from the Titans and took longer than anticipated to find work for a player just two years removed from a 65-catch, nine-touchdown campaign. After working out with the Jets earlier Tuesday, Matthews apparently made a positive impression, as the team acted quickly to bring him onto the 53-man roster. He'll provide immediate relief to a banged-up wideout corps that recently released an injured Terrelle Pryor (groin) and could be without Quincy Enunwa (ankle) for additional games. Matthews will likely report to the team for practice Wednesday and should have enough time to get up to speed with the playbook prior to Sunday's game against the Bears. The 29-year-old could immediately contend for a starting role with Robby Anderson and Jermaine Kearse representing the only healthy, established options in the receiver ranks.

Oct 23, 2018 9:11 AM EST


Working out for Jets

Matthews will work out for the Jets on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Since asking for and gaining his release from the Titans in late September, Matthews reportedly has drawn interest from a number of teams and even worked out for one of them (the Browns). The Jets would give Matthews a chance to contribute immediately with Quincy Enunwa out for multiple weeks due to a high-ankle sprain and Terrelle Pryor dealing with a groin injury. At 29 years old, Matthews is just two seasons removed from posting a career-best line of 65-945-9 on 108 targets, so he could be a modest placeholder while the Jets' receiving corps gets back to full health.

Oct 16, 2018 9:32 AM EST


Set to work out for Browns

The Browns are slated to work out Matthews on Monday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Analysis: Since dealing Josh Gordon to the Patriots, the Browns have been on the lookout for veteran wideout help to add depth behind Jarvis Landry and to complement rookie Antonio Callaway. Matthews could therefore be a decent fit with the Browns and if he does sign with them, there could be a path to targets for him once he absorbs the team's playbook.

Oct 7, 2018 7:49 AM EST


Hires agent, hopes to sign soon

Matthews has drawn interest from multiple teams since being released by the Titans last week and is expected to sign with a club soon, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Matthews had been representing himself in his conversations with teams, but he's since hired Drew Rosenhaus as his agent, presumably with the hope of expediting the signing process. Given that he's just two years removed from a 945-catch, nine-touchdown season, it's not a surprise that Matthews reportedly has plenty of suitors. It's less clear, however, if any of the interested parties envision using him as a starter or a depth option at wideout, which would obviously have significant implications for his fantasy outlook.

Oct 4, 2018 12:54 PM EST


Officially cut loose by Tennessee

The Titans officially released Matthews on Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Matthews wasn't present for practice Wednesday after leaving the team, with head coach Mike Vrabel stating that the wideout was away for "personal reasons." The 28-year-old later clarified his absence, telling A to Z Sports Nashville that he was dissatisfied with his role within the Tennessee offense and requested a release. The Titans quickly acquiesced to Matthews' wishes, as he'll now be eligible to sign with any team of his choosing rather than being exposed to waivers since he's a vested veteran.

Sep 27, 2018 9:17 AM EST


Could be finished with Titans

Matthews is currently not with the Titans for personal reasons and may not return to the team, Paul Kuharsky of 104.5 The Zone Nashville reports.

Analysis: Coach Mike Vrabel said Matthews has been excused for personal reasons Wednesday, and he also posted on his personal Instagram page about being "home for good" in regards to his family. The 28-year-old seems to have been unhappy with his minimal involvement in the offense and reportedly has requested his release from the team, Austin Stanley of AtoZ Sports Nashville reports.

Sep 26, 2018 6:16 PM EST


Fails to make impact

Matthews hauled in one of his two targets for three yards Week 3 against Jacksonville.

Analysis: Jacksonville presented a tough matchup for the Titans' passing attack, so this was unlikely to be the week that Matthews broke out. However, both Corey Davis and Taywan Taylor commanded more targets, leaving Matthews' role ambiguous for the coming weeks. Through three weeks, he has only three catches on six targets for 11 yards.

Sep 23, 2018 8:29 PM EST


Quiet again

Matthews hauled in two of his four targets for a total of eight yards in Week 2 against Houston.

Analysis: Coach Mike Vrabel suggested that Matthews would see a bigger role in Week 2, and he was tied for the second most-targeted player on the team. However, with Blaine Gabbert at quarterback, that didn't translate to much production as he managed only eight total yards. His snap count also fell, though that may be linked to the conservative gameplan the Titans put in place for Week 2.

Sep 16, 2018 9:54 PM EST


Could have bigger role

Coach Mike Vrabel suggested that Matthews is likely to see his role expand, Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com reports. "So Rishard would be in that category of practicing better and playing better and knowing what to do, he would probably be out there a ton," Vrabel said. "And so he was out there, and I am sure we're all looking forward to getting him out there more."

Analysis: Matthews had a 52 percent snap share in Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Dolphins, finishing the game without a target while working behind both Corey Davis and Tajae Sharpe. It shouldn't be long before Matthews pushes Sharpe out of the starting lineup, but we can't assume it will happen for Sunday's game against the Texans. Sharpe played 84 percent of the snaps Week 1, catching one of three targets for 17 yards

Sep 12, 2018 2:35 PM EST


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