According to multiple reports, Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback Sam Bradford will be out 1-2 weeks after suffering a concussion and a left shoulder injury during a Week 10 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Based on initial tests, #Eagles QB Sam Bradford expected to miss this Sunday & potentially Thursday, I’m told. Expect Mark Sanchez to start.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 16, 2015
Bradford didn't participate in Tuesday's practice, and the Eagles will likely turn to backup Mark Sanchez to make his first start of the 2015 regular season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Sanchez started the final eight games for Philadelphia in 2014, posting a career-high quarterback rating of 88.4. However, the Eagles went 4-4 and missed the playoffs.
Throughout his career, the bugaboo on Sanchez has been costly turnovers, and last week's fourth quarter interception to Rashad Jones in the end zone is just another example of that. All Philadelphia needed in that situation was a field goal to take a 22-20 lead, but Sanchez tried to force the ball and was picked off.
On the other hand, Sanchez didn't get much help on Sunday. Miles Austin couldn't keep both of his feet in bounds on a potential touchdown reception, and an illegal shift by Riley Cooper negated a 22-yard touchdown grab by Zach Ertz. Also, on three of the final four plays for the Eagles offense, there was two drops and a receiver wasn't looking for the ball.
In Tuesday's press conference, Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur explained that the Eagles offense won't change much if Bradford or Sanchez starts against the Bucs on Sunday afternoon.
The third-string quarterback on the Eagles roster is Thad Lewis. Shurmur was the offensive coordinator of the St.Louis Rams in 2010 and Lewis made the roster as a third-string quarterback as an undrafted free agent. Lewis also made a start for Shurmur during his time as head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 2012.
Coach Shurmur: I've been with Thad Lewis in two other places. He gets it, understands the game and has a live arm.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 17, 2015
One thing to keep in mind is the Eagles play against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day, just four days after the Eagles-Buccaneers game. If Bradford is out for the next two games, he won't return until a Week 13 game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Dec. 6.
Michael Malia is a contributing intern for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Facebook (Michael Malia) or Twitter @Michael_Malia.
