PHILADELPHIA -- Those looking for a clue on the Philadelphia Eagles’ plans for Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper can probably disregard Friday’s transaction.

The Eagles signed wide receiver Joe Anderson, who finished the season on injured reserve for the Chicago Bears. The 6-foot-1, 196-pound Anderson has played in nine NFL games without catching a pass.

So Anderson was added for his special teams experience first, and his potential to develop into a wide receiver option second. His signing probably will have more impact on Brad Smith and Jeff Maehl than on free agents-to-be Maclin and Cooper.

Anderson, who was undrafted out of Texas Southern in 2012, spent most of that season on the practice squad. He made the Bears' roster in 2013, but was unable to supplant Earl Bennett as Chicago’s No. 3 receiver. With Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery having monster seasons, there wasn’t much room for Anderson to make progress in Chicago.

Anderson played in six games in 2013. He was placed on injured reserve with an abdominal/groin injury.