James

Bradberry IV

Bradberry, who missed the entire 2024 season with an Achilles injury, is expected to be ready for OTAs. Entering his age-32 season, Bradberry could be a rotational player in the Buffalo secondary if he signs with the contending Bills. He would join a Buffalo defense that Pro Football Focus graded as last season’s second worst coverage unit.

Bradberry, entering his age-32 season, will be designated as a post-June 1 release according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The Eagles, after releasing longtime CB Darius Slay on Monday, appear more than comfortable with a young coverage unit in 2025 and beyond. Bradberry missed the entire 2024 campaign with a torn Achilles. He’s expected to be ready for OTAs, and should have suitors on the open market this spring. Bradberry has 19 interceptions over eight NFL seasons.

Both Bradberry and the Eagles kept the injury specifics under wraps throughout the 2024 season, but we now know why Bradberry didn’t play this season despite being given a six-to-eight week timeline for a return to the field. Bradberry switched from cornerback to safety last offseason due to depth chart strengths and weaknesses but he indicated he would like to return to his natural perimeter cornerback role. The Eagles have big decisions to make at the No. 2 perimeter cornerback spot; Darius Slay could be a cap casualty and rotational player Isaiah Rodgers is scheduled to hit free agency. Bradberry has a $7.8 million cap figure and the Eagles can only save cap space if they made him a post-June 1 cut.

According to Rapoport, Bradberry’s injury “involves a tendon” but is not expected to require surgery. The veteran defensive back was kept on the 53-man roster after switching from corner to safety but will now miss nearly two months while recovering from this injury. He’ll likely be placed on injured reserve in the coming days to make room for another player during his absence.

Bradberry took snaps at safety during training camp, giving him another path to success after his recent struggles at corner. Bradberry allowed 56 receptions for 689 yards and nine touchdowns last season, per PFF, but will get a chance at redemption to start things out. We’ll see if he makes it through the season, but for now, he’s a veteran presence in a secondary that’s hoping for a turnaround in 2024.

The Eagles added a pair of corners early through the draft and are now giving the veteran Bradberry looks at safety. The 30-year-old joined the Eagles two seasons ago and has started every game he has played at cornerback. If this is a permanent move, rookie first-rounder Quinyon Mitchell would be slated to start at corner across from Darius Slay. Bradberry would split reps at safety with Reed Blankenship and C.J. Gardner-Johnson likely starting. Bradberry was a second-team All-Pro corner in 2022 and the Eagles are now looking to utilize all the secondary talent they have with as much versatility as possible.

Davis being added to the injury report on Thursday is a bit concerning, but the fact he was able to log a limited session is still encouraging. We’ll see how he fares in Friday’s practice, but for now, we’d expect him to suit up for Week 8 against the Commanders. In addition to Davis, the Eagles also added CB James Bradberry (ankle) and LB Zach Cunningham (ankle) to the practice report. Both were listed as limited participants.

Safety Reed Blankenship is also out for Week 2. Though the injuries to Philly’s secondary should make life easier for Kirk Cousins, he is entering Thursday Night Football with a banged-up offensive line and is facing one of the league’s most terrifying-front sevens. It could still be a long night in primetime for Cousins.

The Eagles have a quick turnaround for Week 2 as they host the Vikings on Thursday Night Football. It is unlikely that Bradberry will have enough time to clear the league’s five-step protocol in time to suit up.

With a Thursday night matchup against the Vikings on tap, Bradberry is unlikely to be cleared in time for Week 2. Bradberry signed a three-year, $38 million contract with the Eagles this offseason, and was in on 72 snaps for the team’s Week 1 opener against the Patriots. If Bradberry is unable to go, cornerback Josh Jobe, who is listed behind him on the depth chart, could see more snaps.