The former second round pick, who last year converted from wideout to tight end, is back in the league after tearing his ACL in August 2022 as a member of the 49ers. Matthews could be called up to the 53-player roster if the Panthers run into tight end injuries later this year.

Matthews will be placed on injured reserve. Now 30 years old, the former second-rounder of the Eagles made the switch to tight end from wide receiver last year. He'd reportedly made big strides in his development, but this could be a career-ender for Matthews. He's played in a combined eight games since 2018. Simply put, guys don't miss multiple years of games on the wrong side of 30 and become impact players.

The team also signed DL Alex Barrett, OL Alfredo Gutierrez, FB Josh Hokit, CB Ka'dar Hollman, TE Tanner Hudson, WR KeeSean Johnson, WR Austin Mack, LB Curtis Robinson, DL Chris Slayton, and WR Connor Wedington to reserve/future contracts. Matthews opened the 2019 season with San Francisco but was cut after appearing in just one game. After a cup of coffee with the Eagles, he returned to the Bay Area for a total of three games between 2020 and 2021. Now a tight end, he will be fighting for a roster spot as a backup to George Kittle and a special teamer this summer.

Doing everything he can to stay in the league after injuries took his legs out from underneath him, Matthews converted to tight end earlier this offseason. He will presumably continue to try to develop at the position on the 49ers' practice squad.