August 12, 2015
Sam Bradford has looked sharp throughout the first week and a half of Eagles training camp. He's seemingly gotten better each day. More importantly, if you didn't already know he was coming off back-to-back ACL surgeries, it would be pretty hard to tell.
He's been a full participant in all practices since the start of camp, including the 11-on-11 drills he was held out of during OTAs. But that's not the same thing as facing an opponent -- one that actually wants to hurt you -- in live game action.
That's the next big step, and likely the final one, in Bradford's recovery. But according to offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, that step might not be taken on Sunday when the team opens their preseason schedule at home against the Colts.
"We'll see," said Shurmur, who was Bradford's coordinator for his rookie season in St. Louis. "We'll see. Maybe."
And if he does play, what can be expected in terms of a snap count for the Eagles new QB?
"We haven't finally discussed that," Shurmur said. "We have a couple solid days of training here. We'll regroup at that time. I'm sure you'll get a shot at [Chip Kelly] and he'll let you know."
All indications have been that Bradford will play, but don't think that if the team holds him back on Sunday that there's been some sort of setback. The only reason, as it stands right now, to sit him would be to prevent another injury. Yes, he needs to get back out on the field, but if it doesn't happen in the first game, don't panic.
Now if he sits out the second game, you may have reason to sound the alarm.
