The Philadelphia Eagles are dealing with injuries to Sam Bradford and Ryan Mathews heading into Week 11 and there is a chance that those players could miss time going forward for Chip Kelly. Bradford is dealing with a concussion and a shoulder sprain and that could put Mark Sanchez into the starting lineup next Sunday for Philly.
Bradford was forced to leave the game against the Eagles on Sunday with a shoulder injury and the quarterback was also diagnosed with a concussion. According to Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com, Chip Kelly said that Bradford suffered a concussion after hitting the ground hard on a tackle by Chris McCain. Kelly said that the x-rays on Bradford's shoulder were negative for a tear. According to the Philadelphia Daily News, Bradford is dealing with a Grade II AC join sprain in his left shoulder.
Mark Sanchez came in for Bradford and played quarterback for the rest of the game and now he could be in line to start next week if Bradford can't play. The Eagles lost a close game to the Dolphins 20-19 after giving up a 13-point lead and now the team is 4-5 heading into Week 11 of the season. The Eagles have two games over the next 11 days with the Buccaneers and a Thanksgiving Day game against Detroit and that could mean Bradford will be out for those games since it's a quick turnaround.
Sanchez started games for the Eagles last season when Nick Foles was injured and now he could be in the same position again this year. Phil Sheridan at ESPN reports that after the game Sunday Sanchez spoke as if he was expecting to play next week, but there has not been an official word yet on whether Bradford will be able to start. Bradford has 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for the Eagles this season and he has been better at taking care of the ball the past couple weeks, throwing two TDs and zero interceptions in that span.
Sanchez stepped in on Sunday and completed 14-of-23 passes for 156 yards and an interception for the Eagles and now he could be in line to start next week. Last season Sanchez played in nine games for the Eagles, throwing 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing 64 percent of his passes. Kelly has been comfortable with Sanchez as the backup and if Bradford has to miss time, the team likely will rely on the running game to take pressure off of Sanchez.
DeMarco Murray has continued to be the lead back for the Eagles even while splitting time with Ryan Mathews. Mathews suffered a concussion in the game against the Dolphins and that could put the focus even more on Murray next week. Mathews left the game in the third quarter and was later ruled out. Mathews had 18 rushing yards in the game and a touchdown and he could be limited in practice this week. Zach Ertz is a solid fantasy option moving forward after he was targeted 10 times and made seven catches against the Dolphins.