Bradham: Wrist slap may still come for missing preseason game
PHILADELPHIA >> When the Eagles line up to play the Washington Redskins Sunday, Nigel Bradham will be available, willing and prepared to play.
Since that was not the case in the Birds’ last game, a Week 4 exhibition in New Jersey against the Jets, the veteran middle linebacker is not fully certain Doug Pederson will allow him to fully participate.
Though Bradham had not been told as of late Thursday that he would be disciplined for not showing up for the Jets game and not immediately informing the Eagles why, he still believes repercussions are possible.
“I mean, probably,” Bradham said after practice at the NovaCare Complex. “More than likely. Obviously. It’s the NFL. It’s how it works.”
Bradham’s absence added intrigue to the otherwise insignificant 6-0 Eagles’ loss. That he was suspended for the opening game of last season for violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy added to the drama.
“I had a stomach virus,” Bradham said. “I was actually supposed to travel, but after the walk-through and such, I just wasn’t doing too well. So I couldn’t take the ride.”
Bradham said he contacted the Eagles “later,” but that he still was “not feeling well.” He since has had conversations about the situation with Pederson.
“Yeah, we talked about it,” he said. “It was just better communication. That’s it.”
While Bradham cited NFL policy for his potential discipline, he added, “that’s a question for Doug.” When asked if he expected to be benched for an earlier part of the game Sunday, he shrugged, suggesting the possibility. A fine is also an option.
Bradham’s one-game suspension last season followed a 2016 confrontation in Miami with a hotel worker. He was also alleged to have attempted to bring a gun through a security checkpoint at the Miami airport.
With linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill not practicing Thursday with a knee injury, the Eagles could be reluctant to enter an NFC East without two projected starting linebackers.
“I’ll just let Doug handle that,” defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said Thursday. “That’s a head coaching thing.”
Predictably, Bradham hopes to put the situation behind him as soon as possible.
“I wasn’t feeling well,” he said. “So obviously I wasn’t worried about my phone or trying to reach out. So that’s all it was.
“My main focus is always just being ready for Week 1. I wasn’t healthy throughout training camp. So my focus was just getting rehab and getting in the best condition I can be.”
Bradham spent most of training camp recovering from a toe injury. He is ready, though, for Week 1. “Of course,” he said. And from now on? “Just communicate better,” he said.