MADISON- Although the Buffalo Bills made the post-season playoffs of the NFL and was considered a good season for the AFC East team, 2017 was not a successful one for former Madison Academy star Jordan Matthews. He caught just 25 passes for 282 yards and one touchdown after being traded to Buffalo during the off season by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Matthews was hit by the injury bug from day one with his new team when he injured his sternum (breastbone) on the first day of practice. He also suffered a thumb injury that required surgery the fourth week of the season. The 25-year old also played through a slight knee and ankle injuries before the team made the decision to put him on the injured list after game 10. It was at that point he underwent procedures at the Andrews Institute in Pensacola, Fla. He had his right ankle scoped and his left knee repaired after it was found he had a partial tear.

Matthews is continuing his rehabilitation in Pensacola while the team was prepping for the first round of the playoffs. The Bills could have used Matthews’ experience and talents in their playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars as they could muster only 150 yards and no touchdowns in a 10-3 loss to the Jags, thus ending the 2017 season with a 9-7 record.

The look ahead to 2018 is somewhat cloudy for the Matthews, a 2010 graduate of Madison Academy and a 2009 All-State selection where the Mustangs finished 12-1 with a loss in the third round of the state playoffs. The 6-foot-3, 212-pound wide receiver will become a free agent during the off-season and the Bills have a bevy of good receivers on its roster meaning the four-year NFL experienced player may be expendable.

In the meantime, Matthews will continue with his rehabilitation from his surgeries and will make a trek to Huntsville to visit with his parents Rod and Brenda Matthews and his brother Justin. He will then make a trip to team headquarters in Buffalo for the customary end-of-season exit physical. Odds are he will fully recover from his injuries and remain a high potent skilled receiver in the NFL whether with the Bills or another team who could use his natural talents.