Buffalo Bills wide receiver Jordan Matthews was once one of the more promising young wideouts in the league. However, his lackluster 2017 NFL season was hardly indicative of the player he was just a few years ago.

It is for that reason Matthews likes his prospects going into free agency. During an appearance on via SiriusXM NFL Radio, he feels it is purely injuries that have derailed his performance in recent years, per Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk:

“I had two surgeries this off-season on my ankle and knee,” Matthews said. “I think people will go back to my tape with the Eagles and know that I was trending as a No. 1 receiver before all the injuries.”

Matthews had been a steal for the Eagles after they selected him with the 42nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Vanderbilt product registered 1,869 yards and 16 touchdowns in his first two seasons.

However, he saw a decreased role within the offense once Philadelphia had drafted quarterback Carson Wentz. As a result, he had been traded along with a 2018 third-round pick to the Bills in exchange for cornerback Ronald Darby. Unfortunately, he was never able to get accustomed to the new offense after injuring his thumb in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons that would later require surgery. Matthews was hardly involved from that point moving forward before ultimately being placed on injured reserve in early December.

That said, he is hoping a clean slate elsewhere could help kickstart his once-promising career back into gear. Matthews will likely have to wait and see how this year's loaded free agency class shakes out before fielding any real offers.