Vikings acquire Sam Bradford; Cowboys sign Mark Sanchez after he cut by Broncos

Sam Bradford got the trade he wanted months ago — just eight days before the season opener.

The Philadelphia Eagles sent Bradford to the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday for a pair of draft picks. Bradford replaces Teddy Bridgewater, who went down for the season after sustaining a gruesome knee injury this week.

The Eagles receive a first-round pick in 2017 and a fourth-round pick in 2018.

Bradford’s departure means backup Chase Daniel will start the season as Philadelphia’s No. 1 quarterback. Carson Wentz, selected with the No. 2 overall pick, missed the last three preseason games after breaking his ribs. McLeod Bethel-Thompson is currently the third quarterback on Philadelphia’s roster.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys have agreed on a one-year contract with quarterback Mark Sanchez, who will back up rookie Dak Prescott while Tony Romo recovers from a back injury, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

Sanchez was released by the Denver Broncos on Saturday, clearing the way for the six-year veteran to sign with another team. The person confirmed the agreement to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract can’t be signed until Sunday.

The Cowboys placed running back Darren McFadden on the non-football injury list, sidelining their leading rusher from last season for at least the first six games. He broke his right elbow during the offseason.

Dallas has to decide whether to place Romo on the injured reserve-return list after he broke a bone in his back in a preseason game at Seattle. Romo would miss the first seven games if he’s on that list.

Sanchez, Denver’s biggest off-season acquisition, didn’t make the roster, saving the Broncos $3.5 million and a seventh-round draft pick.

General Manager John Elway acquired Sanchez from the Philadelphia Eagles after Peyton Manning retired in March and Brock Osweiler bolted to Houston in free agency two days later. Sanchez, however, was beaten out by second-year pro Trevor Siemian, a seventh-round pick in 2015 from Northwestern.

The backup is rookie Paxton Lynch, a first-round pick who will get plenty of work at practice as he continues adjusting from the spread offense he operated at Memphis to coach Gary Kubiak’s West Coast offense.

The Broncos open the season Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers, whom they beat in Super Bowl 50.

The Vikings will be turning to Bradford over veteran Shaun Hill once Bradford learns yet another new system. Bradford will now play for his sixth offensive coordinator — Norv Turner — in seven seasons. A former 2010 No. 1 overall pick, Bradford was acquired from St. Louis by Chip Kelly last year. He had a strong second half in Kelly’s up-tempo offense.

Bradford passed up a chance to test free agency and signed a two-year, $36-million contract with $22 million guaranteed in March. He regretted the decision after the Eagles traded several draft picks to select Wentz, and Bradford skipped some voluntary workouts in the off-season. The Eagles discussed a trade with the Denver Broncos, but couldn’t agree to a deal, so Bradford returned and played well in the preseason in new Coach Doug Pederson’s offense.

Bradford reunites with Pat Shurmur, Minnesota’s tight ends coach. Shurmur was Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator in 2015 and as well as Bradford’s rookie season with the Rams.

The Vikings won the NFC North last season and acquiring Bradford means they clearly think they will compete again. The Eagles were 7-9 last season and would’ve been in rebuilding mode in a division other than the weak NFC East. Trading Bradford allows them to develop Wentz sooner than expected.

49ers keep Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick survived San Francisco’s roster cuts on Saturday when the 49ers determined that his ability as a quarterback more than offset any potential distraction over his refusal to stand during the national anthem.

The 49ers announced that Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder will be the team’s three quarterbacks to start their first season with Chip Kelly as coach. Kelly had telegraphed that move earlier in the week when he called Kaepernick one of his team’s two best quarterbacks.

Kaepernick’s status on the team was briefly in question after his anthem protest over racial oppression and police brutality in the United States became public last weekend.

Etc.

The Houston Texans activated star defensive end J.J. Watt from the physically unable to perform list Saturday, and waived 18 players. Watt, a three-time NFL defensive player of the year, missed the entire preseason after having back surgery in July. He has started every game in his five-year career and is expected to start next Sunday’s opener against Chicago. … The New York Jets have cut 18 players, including fullback Tommy Bohanon, linebacker Trevor Reilly and wide receivers Jeremy Ross and Kenbrell Thompkins. ...The San Francisco 49ers announced they will keep quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder