PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 22: Ryan Mathews #24 of the Philadelphia Eagles can't punch in a goal line touchdown against Landon Collins #21 of the New York Giants during the third quarter as others pile on at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles won 24-19. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Ryan Mathews will have surgery on his neck to repair a herniated disk, head coach Doug Pederson announced Friday.
Matthews suffered the injury on a play at the goal line in the Eagles' 24-19 victory over the Giants on Thursday.
Pederson called it a "pretty significant injury" for the Eagles' leading rusher (661 yards on 155 carries and a team-high eight touchdowns), who already seemed like a long shot to return for a third season with the team in 2017.
The Eagles finish their season against the Dallas Cowboys on Jan. 1.
Philadelphia currently has two healthy running backs on the roster in Darren Sproles and Bryon Marshall. The team has already placed backs Wendell Smallwood (knee) and Kenjon Barner (hamstring) on injured reserve.
Fox News First
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
