Eagles Notes: Sam Bradford's on track, Kelly says

Eagles coach Chip Kelly said Tuesday that quarterback Sam Bradford has done a "great job" so far in his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and reiterated that the quarterback is still on schedule.

Bradford is participating in seven-on-seven drills but not in full-team drills as he recovers from September surgery to repair his second torn ACL in as many seasons.

"He's got a schedule, and he's worked very hard," Kelly said. "We think he's right on track."

That track does not include a date to become a full participant in practice. Kelly said the Eagles haven't talked about when Bradford will be healthy, and they don't have a plan yet for what he will do in next week's full-team minicamp.

"We're just concerned about today," Kelly said.

In March, the Eagles were optimistic that Bradford would be healthy for training camp, which begins Aug. 2. Kelly did not shoot down that date when he was asked about it.

"I'm very optimistic with Sam in terms of his progress," Kelly said. "As I said, he's gotten better every day."

Bradford's recovery time seems to be longer than other players who underwent surgery for the same injury. Jeremy Maclin was a full participant this time last year. Linebacker Travis Long was injured after Bradford last year and is a full participant this spring. Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer is back at practice even though he tore his ACL three months after Bradford.

Kelly said that every player's recovery period is different.

Bradford wears a bulky brace on his left knee. Kelly said he has not talked to him about wearing it this season. Although the brace provides support, Bradford wore it both times he suffered a torn ACL.

"If he feels comfortable in a brace, he can wear a brace," Kelly said. "We don't have any rules - no brace, brace. That's up to the players."

Former Eagles cornerback Cary Williams was critical of Chip Kelly in an interview with Seattle's ESPN radio affiliate.

"I think towards the end of the year we were exhausted, and we got outcoached the majority of the games," said Williams, who is now with the Seattle Seahawks. He called Kelly a great coach but added: "Whatever that is they're creating, I didn't believe it. We went to one playoff game. We had a home playoff game and we lost that."

Defensive lineman Fletcher Cox returned after missing the organized team activity Monday for an undisclosed reason. Running back Darren Sproles will return Wednesday. He missed the last two days for family reasons. . . . Kelly said he has not spoken to guard Evan Mathis and does not know whether he will be in attendance next week.