In a major setback for the Philadelphia Eagles, defensive back James Bradberry has suffered a lower leg injury and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, according to NFL sources. This injury, reported first by the NFL Network, involves a tendon and has led to Bradberry being placed on injured reserve. The timing could not be worse for the Eagles, who were actively trying to trade the 31-year-old veteran after he was included on the team’s initial 53-man roster.
Bradberry, who was signed last offseason to a three-year, $38 million deal with $20 million guaranteed, has struggled to transition from his previous role as a cornerback to safety. Despite a standout 2022 season that earned him second-team All-Pro honors, his performance last year was inconsistent, and his adaptation to safety has been rocky. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has noted the difficulties that come with such a switch, and Bradberry’s lack of speed and tackling issues have been evident.
The Eagles’ general manager, Howie Roseman, is now faced with a more complex situation. Bradberry’s current injury and the $7.819 million cap hit this season could impact the team’s ability to finalize a trade before the November 5 deadline. Although releasing Bradberry would result in $10.813 million in dead money, it would save the team nearly $3 million. The Eagles will have to navigate this challenge carefully as they weigh their options and hope for a favorable outcome.
