Bradford eyes opener after long regular season layoff

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford hasn't played in a regular-season NFL game in so long, even he can't remember the last time.

''A year and a half? A year and nine months? I don't even know how long it's been since I've played a regular-season game,'' Bradford said after practice on Wednesday.

To be precise, it's been nearly one year and 11 months since Bradford last played in the regular season, a loss to Carolina on Oct. 20, 2013 in which he tore an ACL.

''Opening day is always exciting. And when you haven't played in that long it's even more exciting,'' Bradford said of Philadelphia's matchup against the Falcons in Atlanta on Monday night.

Bradford's promising career in St. Louis after being the No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft has been sidetracked by two ACL tears. The Rams traded the former rookie of the year to the Eagles for Nick Foles and a second round draft pick in 2016.

After the 2013 injury, Bradford got back on the field in time for the 2014 preseason but was hurt again the third week of the preseason in Cleveland.

Bradford admits thoughts of giving up entered his mind. But they didn't last very long.

''Aside from those first couple of days when I was just down about everything, no, I thought I'd get back here again,'' Bradford said. ''When it initially happened and before you talk to the doctor, that thought always crosses your head. But after I talked to the doctor and he assured me there was no permanent damage, I knew it would just be the same rehab as the first time.''

Bradford says he knew he was back when he got out and took a few hits.

''That was the first step. I guess you could look at it as the last step (is) playing a full game,'' he said.

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NOTES: Tight end Zach Ertz, who missed the entire preseason after having surgery to repair a groin injury, was cleared to practice, Wednesday. According to Kelly all 63 players, the 53 on the active roster and the 10 on the practice squad, practiced.

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