Paul Turner, Isaiah Johnson

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Paul Turner (80) in action against Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Isaiah Johnson (39) during the second half of a the preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Philadelphia. The Eagles won 17-9. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

(Chris Szagola)

Paul Turner says it was divine intervention that sent him to the Eagles, and for the team the wide receiver has been heaven sent.

Turner, an undersized undrafted player from Louisiana Tech where he wasn't even the team's leading receiver, has been the Eagles best wide receiver in the preseason.

With expected No. 1 receiver Jordan Matthews out with a knee injury, Turner leads the Eagles with nine receptions and 114 yards after two preseason games.

Thursday night in the 17-0 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Turner got reps with the first team offense and caught two passes for 21 yards in the first half. He then made an amazing one-handed catch in the third quarter that reminded some of another Louisiana wide receiver who plays for the Giants.

It's how Turner ended up with the Eagles that is as fascinating as his play has been this summer.

"When I wasn't drafted, I just left it up to God,'' Turner said after Thursday's game. "He directed me. He sent me here for a reason.''

Maybe He looked down saw the Eagles roster and said "Oh Me, they need help.''

Matthews, injured Aug. 5 when rookie cornerback Jalen Mills hit him in the knee during a full-contact practice, has been out ever since. The rest of the veterans in camp have not emerged in his absence.

Former Giants second-round pick Rueben Randle and former Rams and Ravens speedster Chris Givens, two free agents singed this offseason, have been pedestrian.

Nelson Agholor, the team's 2015 first-round pick, made a nice play for a 22-yard gain Thursday night, his first big play this summer. The team hopes and prays its not his last. Josh Huff, a third-round pick in 2014, has shown the same inconsistency he has his first two years in the league.

It's gotten so desperate the team traded for troubled receiver Dorial Green-Beckham from the Titans and put a claim in but did not get Rasheed Bailey, who was cut by the Jaguars.

And then there's Turner.

"He's really beginning to stand out,'' Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said of Turner. "He's come out every day to work and he's made plays. He's a quiet kid. He doesn't say a whole lot, but he comes to work and he comes to play.''

Turner said he was confident when he arrived for training camp, despite the fact he wasn't drafted and wasn't even considered one of the top undrafted receivers. That confidence has only grown with each and every play he makes.

"You have to be confident in yourself,'' he said. "If you're not, you're never going to make it. I've always felt that way. I look around and I say to myself I'm as good as anyone else.''

As far as the Eagles wide receivers go he's been better.

Mark Eckel may be reached at mjeck04@verizon.net. Follow him on Twitter @MarkEckel08. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.