Sam Bradford recovering from shoulder injury, will have "big test" in Tuesday's practice

Tuesday will be an important practice for Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford.

Coach Chip Kelly said Monday that Bradford will practice Tuesday and the Eagles will need to see how his shoulder responds. Bradford missed the last two games, and his absence Thursday in a loss to Detroit was because of a separated left shoulder. If Bradford does not have any issues after practice Tuesday, he will be on pace to start Sunday against the New England Patriots.

"I just don't know exactly where we are from a throwing standpoint," Kelly said. "He threw a little bit in Detroit, wasn't ready to play last Thursday obviously . . . And a big test will be [Tuesday], him throwing the ball and seeing there's residual soreness in terms of being able to continue."

Bradford was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, but it was only a one-hour session. Even though the AC joint in Bradford's non-throwing arm is injured, Kelly said the off shoulder is important for a quarterback. Bradford needs to have stability and must be able to take a hit.

"If you have some instability in your left shoulder . . . you're susceptible to something if you get hit," Kelly said. "Can he handle that? Can he take a hit so it's not something that's going to affect him long-term?"

Kelly said Bradford was progressing in the weeks before the injury. Bradford went 44 for 61 for 531 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in November. His injury came in the third quarter of a Nov. 15 loss to Miami.

"Going through a full progression, knowing where everybody is going to be," Kelly said, "there's a comfort level with him. . . . When he's around it and in it and practicing every day and playing every day, you can see him grow. You could see him grow in the last couple of games. I thought he played really well in Dallas. And he was on track against Miami and then he got hurt."

The Eagles signed offensive lineman Barrett Jones off the Chicago Bears' practice squad and released veteran Julian Vandervelde, who has been in and out of Philadelphia throughout his career.

In Jones, the Eagles get a former Alabama all-American with the versatility to play guard and center. Jones, who is 6-foot-4 and 308 pounds, was a 2013 fourth-round pick by the St. Louis Rams. He played at Alabama for offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, and his time with the Crimson Tide overlapped with Ed Marynowitz's time with the school. Marynowitz is now the Eagles' vice president of player personnel.

The Eagles also signed linebacker Brandon Hepburn and cornerback Mike Lee to the practice squad.

Running back Ryan Mathews still has not been cleared to return to action after suffering a concussion on Nov. 15. Tight end Zach Ertz is awaiting clearance from an independent neurologist after suffering a concussion on Nov. 22.