Sam Bradford Injury: Updates on Eagles QB's Recovery from Torn ACL

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford hasn't played in a regular-season NFL game since October 2013, but the one-time No. 1 overall pick is seemingly on pace to end that lengthy drought. 

On Aug. 14, Chip Kelly announced, per Eagles Insider, that Bradford will not play in the team's preseason opener, but will play in the second game.  

Continue for updates.

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Bradford Comments on Missing First Preseason Game

Friday, Aug. 14

"It's coach's decision. Obviously I wanted to be out there. I was preparing to be out there. But this morning he sat down and explained it to me. It's up to him. "I haven't sat out a practice, I haven't missed a rep -- this has nothing to do with the knee. I think this has been his plan from the beginning," Bradford said, per Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com.

"It shouldn't be taken for granted that Bradford looks to be [100 percent] healthy," observed Shorr-Parks on Aug. 10, who added: 

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Coming off of back-to-back season-ending ACL injuries, Bradford has been in for every snap of every practice, and has shown no signs of injury while doing so. ...

Bradford is healthy, but he is not a great athlete even at [100 percent]. Bradford looks uncomfortable running around, and he is not going to be an option for quarterback sneaks, as his lower body is both fragile and clearly weak.

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On Aug. 2, Eagles head coach Chip Kelly announced "Bradford will do everything" as the Eagles kicked off training camp.

Throughout his recovery process, Bradford was confident he would be able to open training camp healthy, per Shorr-Parks: "If I'm not ready for 11-on-11 by training camp, then something has gone horribly wrong. That's the plan right now. We're going to keep plugging away and be ready when camp starts."

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Kelly Comments on Pre-Trade Research

Sunday, July 26

Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com reported the Eagles' investigation while providing a reassuring statement from Kelly:

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When it came to Bradford, the Eagles doctors consulted with the St. Louis trainers and the those that performed the surgery. The word they received was that the 27-year-old, coming off the second tear of his left ACL in less than a year's time, "was fine" and "was progressing." Further, there was no cartilage issues in the knee. On both occasions, it was just the ACL that was damaged.

The Eagles did their own independent research as well and reached the conclusion that when it comes to ACLs, there is a 10-to-12 percent chance of re-injury.

"So that’s an 88-to-90 percent chance that they’re going to be successful,” said Kelly.

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Bradford's impending return is huge for the Eagles since it means the likes of Mark Sanchez, Matt Barkley and Tim Tebow won't have to take starting reps, but it's even bigger for Bradford's future.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the former University of Oklahoma standout has opted against signing an extension with the Eagles prior to the season:

He is essentially gambling on himself, and the notion that he'll be ready for training camp means the first roll of the dice is about to go his way.

Bradford will also have to prove that he can go through the preseason, regular season and perhaps even the playoffs without suffering another catastrophic injury, which is something he has been unable to avoid over the past two years.

If he can stay healthy and integrate himself into an offense anchored by running back DeMarco Murray, though, he stands to land a nice payday when the 2015 campaign reaches its conclusion.  

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