Eagles Place James Bradberry On IR

1:55pm: The Eagles have indeed placed Bradberry on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the season. In a corresponding move, veteran special teamer Oren Burks has been signed to the active roster (h/t PHLY’s Zach Berman).

12:12 pm: James Bradberry made the Eagles’ 53-man roster after drawing trade interest. The veteran defensive back will not be available at the start of the season, however.

Bradberry suffered a lower leg injury during practice on Wednesday, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report. The ailment involves a tendon, so while surgery will not be needed, a notable absence is expected. Bradberry is facing a six-to-eight week recovery timetable, per the report.

The 31-year-old was on the roster bubble throughout the offseason, one in which he transitioned from corner to safety. It would not have come as a surprise if Bradberry had been dealt, and the Titans inquired about a potential swap. In the end, though, the former Pro Bowler secured a roster spot during cutdowns on Tuesday, putting him in line for a role of some kind at safety. Philadelphia’s depth on the backend will now be tested.

Bradberry suggested the position change after spending his first eight seasons as a corner. He remained a full-time starter during his first two Eagles campaigns, but one of the team’s top priorities in the offseason was upgrading in the secondary. Philadelphia selected Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in the first two rounds of the draft, and they are both in line for notable roles as rookies. Darius Slay remains in place as a veteran first-team option at cornerback.

The Eagles’ safety depth chart consists of C.J. Gardner-Johnson (with whom the team reunited in free agency), Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown and Avonte Maddox. The latter has seen time at slot corner, but he joined Bradberry in making the move to safety this year. Philadelphia will thus have a number of options to choose from while Bradberry is sidelined, but a decision will now need to be made in his case regarding injured reserve.

Moving players to IR guarantees at least a four-game absence, and teams have eight total activations available for the regular season. In the Eagles’ case, two of those will be used when veteran tight end Albert Okwuegbunam and rookie receiver Ainias Smith are brought back into the fold. One of Philadelphia’s moves during the cutdown deadline was also the decision to place Brown on the reserve/PUP list, meaning he will miss the opening four games at a minimum. With Bradberry now on the mend as well, it will be interesting to see if the team pursues a short-term depth addition at safety.