Eagles say LB Bradley has knee injury, but Reid not talking to punish press asking about it

Eagles say Bradley injured, but Reid not talking

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Upset by press reports that starting middle linebacker Stewart Bradley could miss the season with a knee injury, Eagles coach Andy Reid said Monday he’s not talking about it.

The Eagles confirmed Sunday night that Bradley suffered a knee injury in practice. On Monday, reports surfaced that the third-year pro has a torn ACL is likely lost for the season.

After practice, Reid criticized the media instead of discussing the injury. He said some reporters violated his “pact” with them, which Reid said dictates that reporters ask only him about team injuries, not players or other team personnel.

“We won’t talk about injuries today,” Reid said. “Some of your colleagues here decided that they would go to the players and/or other personnel here and ask about injuries. I made a pact with you guys when I first got here that I would disclose to you the injuries — just stay away from the players, stay away from other personnel in the organization, and I would take care of you with that. That part was breached…”

Asked why he decided to punish the entire press corps, Reid said, “That’s the way it works. Peer pressure is the best pressure there is. You can work it out with your colleagues.”

Reid did acknowledge Bradley’s absence from practice.

“He did not practice today, and that’s where I’ll leave it,” said Reid, who would not say when he will again discuss injuries. “When I decide that people can abide by the rules, I’ll do that.”

While Reid declined to talk about Bradley’s absence, his players did.

“Stu was our starting linebacker, so it’s a blow,” safety Quintin Mikell said. “But it’s the NFL. We got to have guys that are ready to step up, and I believe we have those guys.”

Said linebacker Chris Gocong: “Obviously it’s really unfortunate, but that’s football, and you really do have to roll with the punches and stay on your toes.”

Bradley, a third-round pick in 2007, had 151 tackles in his first full season as a starter last year. He’s the primary signal caller on a defense that already lost veteran safety Brian Dawkins to Denver in free agency.

Bradley’s backup is second-year pro Joe Mays, who practiced with the first team on Monday. The Eagles also have veteran Omar Gaither, who started all 16 games at middle linebacker during the 2007 season.

“You’ve got two guys that can do a good job there with Mays and Omar,” Reid said. “We’ll look at that as we go down the road here.”