Rishard Matthews skipped Titans practice Wednesday for what head coach Mike Vrabel described as “personal reasons." On Wednesday night, we learned that those reasons were football related, and that Matthews may not be coming back.
The 28-year-old receiver posted this picture to Instagram saying, “When Daddy’s Home for Good... That is unless someone calls him to get off the couch."
Matthews then confirmed to "A to Z Sports" that he has left the team, asking the Titans for a release. He says the two sides have an agreement in place to make that happen.
BREAKING: Rishard Matthews confirms to @AtoZSports that he is done with the #Titans
Details: https://t.co/BhwTnxVMnW
— Austin Stanley (@AustinStanley81) September 27, 2018
Matthews has been the Titans' leading receiver the past two seasons, but missed nearly the entire offseason due to injuries and then reportedly needed surgery to repair a torn meniscus during training camp. The Titans welcomed him back in time for the regular season, but he clearly has not been himself, making just three receptions for 11 yards.
Matthews has played 52 percent of the Titans’ offensive snaps through three weeks and only had six targets, numbers that seemed to bother him and lead to this decision. He remains under contract with the Titans until the team releases him, which would then allow him to pursue playing opportunities elsewhere.
Matthews will be missed by a Tennessee offense struggling to find its rhythm early in the season. He caught 195 balls for over 1,740 yards and 13 touchdowns the past two seasons.
The Titans have had no comment yet.
