PHILADELPHIA (AP) Sam Bradford is eager to show his stuff in a real game.
Bradford hopes to play when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in their preseason opener. But coach Chip Kelly will make that decision later this week.
''I think that I need to get back on the field and get those reps,'' Bradford said. ''It's been a long time since I've taken live-team reps.
''Now, whether that happens in the first game, the second game, the third game, the fourth game, that's completely up to Coach, but I think it's definitely beneficial for me to get out there.''
Bradford hasn't played since last August when he tore his left ACL for the second time in less than a year. That didn't stop the Eagles from trading Nick Foles and a second-round pick to St. Louis to get him.
The former No. 1 overall pick has looked healthy in training camp. His passes are crisp and accurate, but he's not being chased around by guys looking to knock him to the ground.
''The game speed is the biggest thing, getting back out there, playing in a game where the bullets are real and obviously the speed picks up a little bit,'' Bradford said.
''I think for all quarterbacks, whether you're coming off an injury or not, you go through training camp, you go through OTAs and never get hit. I think getting back out there, taking a hit, going to the ground, getting back up and playing the next play, that's a hurdle every year that everyone has to overcome.''
Bradford eased his way through offseason practice sessions and has been full-go each day at training camp. He isn't even wearing a knee brace.
''The knee feels like normal now,'' he said.
Bradford is one of several new faces on an offense that has undergone a total makeover despite thriving since Kelly arrived two years ago. All-Pro running back DeMarco Murray, Bradford's roommate at Oklahoma, was signed away from Dallas to replace franchise rushing leader LeSean McCoy.
Rookie first-round pick Nelson Agholor replaces departed Pro Bowl wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. Two-time Pro Bowl left guard Evan Mathis is gone and longtime starting right guard Todd Herremans also was released. DeSean Jackson was jettisoned after a career year in 2013.
''As far as general chemistry, I feel like we're in a good place right now,'' Bradford said.
The real test comes in a game whether it's Sunday against the Colts or next week against Baltimore.
DEMARCO'S WORKLOAD
All-Pro RB DeMarco Murray is spending more time on the sideline than expected while Ryan Mathews gets more reps with the first-team offense. Darren Sproles also works in with the starters. Murray missed the first day of training camp because of hydration issues and his heavy workload last year with Dallas might be one reason why the Eagles are holding him back.
''We're aware of what last year was all about, but we kind of train and we monitor our training and we kind of know what we expect from all of our players,'' offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. ''We feel good about where he's at.''
Murray insisted he's not injured.
INJURY UPDATE
The team's three inside linebackers were absent from practice. DeMeco Ryans sat out his first practice. It was a scheduled day off because he's recovering from a torn Achilles. Kiko Alonso remains out with a concussion. Mychal Kendricks was on the field, but didn't do much for undisclosed reasons.
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