Having already released Mychal Kendricks, the Eagles will see their linebacking corps further thinned out to start this season. Nigel Bradham is facing a one-game suspension, ESPN.com’s Field Yates reports (on Twitter).
Bradham is an unquestioned Eagles starter and just re-signed to stay in Philadelphia long-term. He and Jordan Hicks are expected to be the defending Super Bowl champions’ primary every-down linebackers this season, but for Week 1 — expected to be Hicks’ first game back after ending last season on IR — could well force Philly to get creative.
This suspension could be coming for Bradham as a result of a 2016 incident involving an alleged assault at a hotel. Bradham turned himself in to police in July 2016 and was charged with aggravated battery. However, the veteran off-ball ‘backer avoided jail time in this case. The NFL’s personal conduct policy, though, does not require the burden of proof to be nearly as high as the country’s legal system does.
Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets this ban indeed stems from that 2016 incident in south Florida, and Bradham himself confirmed this (on Twitter), adding that the matter has been resolved legally.
Having re-signed the 28-year-old defender on a five-year, $40MM deal, the Eagles are counting on him to play a key part in their title defense this season. Bradham’s been a full-time starter for the Eagles the past two seasons. His 2016 arrival coincided with Kendricks being relegated to a part-time player. With Kendricks gone and Hicks being an injury risk, Bradham represents the most stable linebacker on Philadelphia’s roster.
Beyond Bradham, the Eagles have the recently signed Corey Nelson, converted safety Nate Gerry and Kamu Grugier-Hill. Those three are vying for Kendricks’ old job, and it’s likely one will now have to join Hicks in the Eagles’ nickel set when they face the Falcons on opening night.
Strip them of that Lombardi trophy. Lol
Bradham: Two arrests = one game.
Zeke: Zero arrests = six games
Winston: Zero arrests = three games
Way to go, NFL!
So he turns himself in basically admitting wrong doing and gets one game. Zeke’s accuser took her accusation back yet he got 4 games. Goddell is trash
So he turns himself in because he knows they’re looking for him doesn’t mean he admits anything or did anything. A victim taking an accusation back also doesn’t mean the perpetrator didn’t do anything, it could mean they’re afraid to continue or are even paid to go away. God dell is just trying to weed through the trash like Winston, Zeke and Hardy.