Eagles are counting on Stewart Bradley

Reporting from Bethlehem, Pa. — 

Stewart Bradley isn’t asked to run back kicks for the Philadelphia Eagles, but he’s their most valuable return man.

That is to say the middle linebacker’s return from the knee injury that ended his 2009 season is a vital component to the success of Philadelphia’s defense.

The Eagles learned the true value of Bradley when he wasn’t around last season — he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in training camp — as they struggled to replace their defensive signal caller. They tried Matt Wilhelm, Joe Mays and Omar Gaither, traded for Will Witherspoon, and even re-signed Jeremiah Trotter for a third time. None could hold down the job as well as Bradley, who had 108 tackles in 2008 and played traffic cop in the middle of the defense.

Bradley says he has no doubt he can pick up where he left off before the injury.

“I’ve been clear off my knee for so many months now that it doesn’t even feel like an issue in my mind,” he said. “I’ve been running and doing so much speed work that I felt like I had a normal off-season. I feel as good as I ever have.”

Assuming Bradley can wrap his arms around a full recovery, it will be the best tackle he has made as a pro.

Year	Tck	Sck	Int	PD	FF	FR
2008	108	1	1	6	1	1

Ten other NFL standouts coming back this season from injuries:

Wes Welker, WR, New England: Welker, maybe the best slot receiver in football, is recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee. He didn’t play in the exhibition opener but might be ready for Thursday’s game against Atlanta.

YEAR	Rec	Yds	YPC	TD
2009	123	1,348	11.0	4

Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh: The Steelers were 4-1 with Polamalu last season, 5-6 without him. He’s the unquestioned quarterback of that defense, and he’s hoping his recuperating knee will be 100% by the time the season starts.

Year	Tck	Sck	Int	PD	FF	FR
2008	73	0	7	17	0	0

Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Indianapolis: Gonzalez, coming off a knee injury, is an excellent receiver. It will be interesting to see where he fits in the Colts’ scheme now that Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie proved themselves in his absence.

Year	Rec	Yds	YPC	TD
2008	57	664	11.6	4

Brian Urlacher, LB, Chicago: Sidelined by a severe wrist injury last season, Urlacher has resumed his spot as centerpiece of the Bears’ defense. He says the injury has actually improved how he uses his hands.

Year	Tck	Sck	Int	PD	FF	FR
2008	93	0	2	10	0	1

Rey Maualuga, LB, Cincinnati: A former USC standout, Maualuga started 15 games at strong-side linebacker for the Bengals last season before suffering a broken ankle. He’s back now, and embracing his newfound sobriety.

Year	Tck	Sck	Int	PD	FF	FR
2009	59	1	0	2	0	0

Kris Jenkins, DT, New York Jets: Even without Jenkins, among the game’s best nose tackles, the Jets finished No. 1 last season in total defense. Now, Jenkins is back but star cornerback Darrelle Revis is holding out. Can the team still meet its lofty standards?

Year	Tck	Sck	Int	PD	FF	FR
2008	50	3.5	0	2	1	0

Clinton Portis, RB, Washington: A concussion cut short Portis’ 2009 season, and the running back finished with career lows of 494 yards rushing and a touchdown. He’s 18 pounds lighter this season and competing for the No. 1 job with Larry Johnson, Willie Parker and Ryan Torain.

Year	Ryds	YPR	Rec	YPC	TD
2008	1,487	4.3	28	7.8	9

Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami: When he’s healthy, Brown can be a spectacular player. He has missed 20 games in the last five years because of injuries, heading to the sideline last season because of a broken foot. He and Ricky Williams could wind up joining Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris as the only tandem 1,000-yard backs in club history.

Year	Ryds	YPR	Rec	YPC	TD
2008	916	4.3	33	7.7	10

Kenny Phillips, S, New York Giants: Phillips played only two games last season and underwent microfracture surgery in the off-season to treat a degenerative condition in his knee. The Giants are easing the third-year safety back into action, and Phillips didn’t play Monday against the Jets.

Year	Tck	Sck	Int	PD	FF	FR
2008	62	0	1	5	0	0

Peria Jerry, DT, Atlanta: How good is Jerry? The Falcons are still trying to find out. The 2009 first-round pick never made it out of September last season. He’s expected to be ready for the opener, a good thing for a team opening at Pittsburgh.

sam.farmer@latimes.com