Five Big-Picture Takeaways from Eagles’ Week 10 Loss vs Dolphins

4.) The Latest Round of Injuries Will Pose the Greatest Test for Remainder of Season

Nov 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) walks off the field in the third quarter after injuring his shoulder against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Dolphins defeated the Eagles, 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

One of the biggest storylines going into the Eagles season was how they would manage a roster loaded with players who had checkered histories in the injury department. Given the fact that every team is bit by the injury bug during an NFL season (see: Cowboys, Dallas), the Eagles had navigated the veritable minefield relatively well heading into Sunday’s game with the Dolphins. The significant injuries suffered were those at positions of depth and the major players with concerning histories had remained upright.

That all changed in a few hours at Lincoln Financial Field. Sam Bradford suffered what appears to be a significant concussion that could keep him out several weeks. Ryan Mathews also left the game with a concussion of his own, leaving DeMarco Murray as the primary ball-carrier until told otherwise. Any time a team loses the quarterback who had led them through the first half of the season, one can safely assume the offense will have its cohesiveness tested.

With Bradford’s livelihood as the top priority, one would hope the Eagles go through every measure to assure their quarterback is capable of stepping on a football field before he does so. The details of his concussion are chilling and it’d be hard to imagine what type of outcry would follow the Eagles if they rushed him back to action. A silver lining to Sanchez taking over is his familiarity with the scheme and personnel from his experience in 2014. That doesn’t change the fact that Bradford had started to look the part of the quarterback Chip Kelly went out of his way to acquire.

As more key contributors find themselves on the injury list, it is up to those still able to lace them up on Sundays to find ways to overcome the losses. Having seen what the Cowboys season turned into after Tony Romo was placed on short-term IR, the Eagles can take solace in their entire offense not being dictated by the success of Sam Bradford. Despite that, the Eagles went into Sunday’s game relatively healthy and poised to take their first step towards re-legitimizing themselves into a major player in the race for the postseason. They limped out a team once again enshrouded with questions and an injury list that grows by the week.

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