Stewart Bradley is ready to get back on the field after missing Sunday's game due to the concussion he suffered in the Week 1 game against the Packers. But another person who is ready to see him back on the field is someone very important, his mother Ann.
"I'm excited. I'm ready to play. I feel good. They've done so many tests, (I've) seen an independent neurologist. They've done a great job," Bradley said. "My mom's happy about it. I'm ready to play.
"Obviously, your mom never wants to see any collisions, ever. That's not a reality. She's a nurse. She works in the medical profession. She's seen it all."
Bradley was cleared to return to practice this week by an independent neurologist, Dr. William Welch. Barring any setbacks, Bradley will start this Sunday in Jacksonville. After missing all of 2009 with a knee injury, it was frustrating for Bradley to be watching from afar again. But at least this time, it's only temporary.
"You definitely want to play, but you respect the medical staff's opinion and their decision to keep me out is for my benefit," Bradley said. "Unlike last year, I'm practicing and playing this week so it's a good thing."
Bradley suffered the injury in the second quarter of the Packers game when he ran his head into Ernie Sims' leg while trying to make a play. Cameras caught Bradley falling down and stumbling as he tried to come off the field.
The Eagles administered a series of tests on the sideline and Bradley was cleared to return. It was when the Eagles did a follow-up to make sure that he was OK, Bradley failed. One of the tests had Bradley remember a series of three words - boat, apple and pear. During the initial screening, he had no problem remembering the words. But he couldn't remember them when asked again later on. That's when the Eagles decided his day was over.
"You can't just say that because someone was hit hard he has a concussion. There has to be a test for that kind of stuff and they have those procedures. Concussions have been a hot topic for a long time in this league, especially the last couple of years," Bradley said. "(Head athletic trainer) Rick (Burkholder) and his staff use the international concussion data. They're up-to-date on all of the latest stuff. I did seven or eight different things when I came off the field to see if I was OK. I wanted to play. I felt good to play. I wanted to go back in."
Bradley has been able to run and lift during his week of rest. Now, he will be getting back up to speed to anchor the defense in Jacksonville this Sunday.
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 1:55 p.m., September 20
