December 11, 2024

Sam Bradford (Cherokee Nation) wishes he could take every rep now, but waits for camp

Via NBC Sports by  Darin Gantt

The Eagles have been encouraged by the progress they’ve seen from quarterback Sam Bradford, as he rehabs his latest ACL tear. But he’d still rather be showing them more.

“Yeah, it is a little bit difficult,” Bradford said, via Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com. “I wish I were out there taking every rep. I think it would make it a little easier to develop those relationships. But there’s other ways to do that — pulling guys aside after practice, in the weight room. You’ve got to look for different ways to do it when you can’t do it on the field.”

Mostly, that means Mark Sanchez taking the bulk of the work with the starters, while he tries to get to know his new teammates off the field.

But Bradford reiterated that he hopes to be back and in position to take his normal share of the reps when training camp opens, as he gradually increases his work load each week. He said the good news about his two ACL tears is that neither included severe cartilage damage, which is a boost to his rehab schedule.

“I hope so,” he said of the Aug. 2 start of camp. “If I knew that I was going to be ready 100 percent I’d tell you guys, but I’m excited about that date. I think if everything continues the way it has, I’ll be ready for that. I think it’ll be good to get back out there with everyone.

“I don’t want to set concrete dates. Just because, when you set a concrete date and don’t make it you feel like it’s a setback or a disappointment. If we keep going the way we’re going, we’re going to be in good shape.”

Given his track record with injuries, it’s reasonable to be cautious about time frames. But given their depth chart at the position, it’s also reasonable for the Eagles to be ready to get Bradford out there as soon as he’s well.