Sam Bradford benched as Philadelphia Eagles Coach Chip Kelly plays it safe

Quarterback Sam Bradford didn’t make it past the preseason last year before he tore his anterior cruciate ligament for the second time. A fact that does not appear to be lost on Philadelphia Eagles Coach Chip Kelly.

Kelly announced Friday that Bradford would sit out the Eagles’ first preseason tilt on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

“That’s my decision,” Kelly told Philly.com. “He really wants to play. I don’t think he’s really happy with my decision. I just felt he’s been out here for two weeks, done a really nice job. He’ll get his first work against the Ravens when we get a chance to train with them for a couple days before we play, and he’ll play in the Ravens game.”

Starters don’t usually play more than one or two series during the first preseason game, so Bradford won’t be missing much except for the potential to suffer an injury.

On Thursday, the Washington Redskins lost tight end Nile Paul for the year with an ankle injury and running back and former Trojan Silas Redd is believed to have a season-ending knee injury.

Bradford has made just 49 starts over five years while earning $65.1 million because of injuries. He missed the entire 2014 season when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his left leg for the second time -- he tore it the first time in Week 7 of the 2013 season.

At Oklahoma he missed most of his junior season, his final year as a Sooner, because of a shoulder injury.

“Sam understands,” Kelly said. “I think he’s disappointed, but I think he understands. It wasn’t a debate.”

Veteran Mark Sanchez will start in front of his fellow Trojan Matt Barkley and the ever-popular Tim Tebow. Barkley and Tebow are expected to see significant time as they battle for the third quarterback spot on the roster.

Follow Matt Wilhalme on Twitter @mattwilhalme