The Philadelphia Eagles released running back Ryan Matthews on Tuesday, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. This news comes as no surprise, as it has been speculated for several weeks now. The expectation was that Mathews would be released once he was medically cleared after suffering a neck injury last season.

In a statement by the Eagles, coach Doug Pederson told reporters that Mathews was cleared to play football after undergoing offseason neck surgery.

Mathews was in the last year of his three-year, $11 million contract that he signed back in 2015. By cutting him, the Eagles saved approximately $4 million in cap space.

He suffered the season-ending neck injury in a 24-19 win against the New York Giants in week 13 after taking a devastating hit by defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the second half. Mathews finished that game with 62 total yards (46 rushing, 16 receiving).

This marks the third straight season in which Mathews failed to play an entire season, including his last season with the San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers. He finished 2016 with 661 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.

The addition of running back LeGarrette Blount and drafting former 4th-rounder Donnel Pumphrey all but signaled the end of Mathews' tenure in Philly.