Ex-Titans WR Rishard Matthews bails on Saints, gets cut
Former Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews seems to have quit on yet another team.
Former Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews has been cut by the New Orleans Saints after he reportedly left the team following its first preseason game.
According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Saints cut Matthews with a “left squad designation.”
The Saints have cut veteran WR Rishard Matthews (left squad designation), per source.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 10, 2019
ESPN’s Mike Triplett confirms Matthews left the team.
Sean Payton announced that WR Rishard Matthews was released, along with TE Jake Powell. Veteran OL Ulrick John was placed on injured reserve. Payton confirmed that Matthews chose to leave. He did not specify a reason but said, “It’s not for everyone.” https://t.co/o0EaICSqN6
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) August 10, 2019
There are a few ways this designation can be used, but according to The Football Educator, this part seems to apply to Matthews’ situation.
"If a player leaves his club without permission after reporting to training camp, the club may place the player on its Reserve List as Left Squad, pursuant to the restrictions and procedures that appear in this section."
We’re still waiting on the reason Matthews left, but it could be similar to what happened in two of his last three stops.
When he was a member of the Miami Dolphins, Matthews stopped attending voluntary workouts because he was unhappy with his impending role. He later requested a release or trade from that team.
As a member of the Titans, Matthews asked to be released from the team in 2018, to which the Titans obliged. Matthews was then signed by the New York Jets, and later landed on injured reserve.
Tennessee signed Matthews back in 2016, and he played in 33 games with the Titans, compiling 121 catches for 1,751 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The Saints signed Matthews back in June after a minicamp tryout, but it appears his tenure there is over after almost two months.
Matthews has flashed some talent during his career, however his wanting to constantly leave teams is a repeating issue.
It remains to be seen what Matthews’ future holds after this. It’s hard to imagine any team will be able to trust him to take a chance on him moving forward. He might have seen his last days in the NFL.