The Philadelphia Eagles will be without their starting quarterback for at least the next two games.
There is 'no way' Sam Bradford plays at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon or at the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day, a source tells Elliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com.
Bradford suffered a separated left shoulder injury and a concussion in the third quarter of last week's 20-19 loss to the Miami Dolphins. He hasn't practiced all week as he is still in the NFL's concussion protocol, but the source says the shoulder injury is what will keep Bradford sidelined.
Backup Mark Sanchez will make his first start of the year against the Bucs on Sunday afternoon.
It is fair to say that Sanchez has been in this situation before. He went 4-4 in eight games as the Eagles starter last season, and he played the majority of the team's win 31-21 win over the Houston Texans after Nick Foles went down with a season-ending shoulder injury.
"I feel good with it, I feel comfortable and I'm ready to go," Sanchez said, via Dave Spadaro. "My preparation doesn't change. I'm accountable to all the guys in this locker room and all the coaches who work so hard. My job is to be ready to play and help this team win. I love the offense, of course, every rep I take on the practice field can only help. I take every rep for what it's worth and make the most of them and then I go out and have fun playing."
Sanchez threw for 156 yards in replace of Bradford on Sunday, but he made a huge mistake on a second-and-goal in the fourth quarter. Sanchez tried to fire a touchdown pass to Miles Austin, but he was picked off by Dolphins safety Rashad Jones. Three points would of gave the Eagles a lead in that situation, instead the Eagles came away with nothing.
Sanchez explained how he can prevent making those sorts of turnovers in the future.
"You've just got to be smart with the ball and understand the situation and what we need at the time," he said. "We'll do a good job pushing the pace and then analyzing where we're at and where we're going to accomplish on that specific play."
The Eagles third-string quarterback is Thad Lewis. Lewis has experience playing under Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. He made his first NFL start with the Cleveland Browns in 2012 when Shurmur was the head coach. He hasn't played in an NFL regular season game since 2013 with the Buffalo Bills, but the former Duke graduate has been in Philly since Sept., and he feels ready to go if his number is called on.
"The most important thing is to make sure I'm ready for anything and everything," Lews said, via the Morning Call. "It's like that old saying, 'It's better to be prepared and not get the opportunity than to get the opportunity and not be prepared.' So, I'm going to be prepared."
No matter who is under center, Philadelphia will have to get get things rolling soon. Despite a dismal 4-5 start, the Eagles are only a half-game back of the New York Giants in a very winnable NFC East division.
Bradford is projected to make a return in a Week 13 game against the New England Patriots on Dec. 6.
Michael Malia is a contributing intern for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Facebook (Michael Malia) or Twitter @Michael_Malia.
