Doug Pederson on Nigel Bradham: ‘We’ve Put it Behind Us’

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - There will be no suspension for Nigel Bradham and the veteran linebacker is expected to play in Sunday's season opener against the Washington Redskins.

Eagles coach Doug Pederson called any potential discipline regarding Bradham “an internal issue.”

Bradham, who turned 30 on Wednesday, told reporters on Thursday he was expected a fine for essentially a no call, no show for the Week 4 preseason tilt against the New York Jets. Bradham didn’t show up for the bus trip to North Jersey last week because he was ill and did not communicate that to the Eagles.

"I trust Nigel,” Pederson said. “He and I had a great conversation. Quite frankly, it’s behind us. I’ll just tell you this, we had a -- without getting into details because I’m not going to -- great conversation on Monday. And he’s focused on the Redskins just like I am and we’ve put it behind us."

Bradham on Thursday admitted he needed to do a better job communicating but was so ill from a stomach issue he wasn't thinking about his phone or any other potential avenue to get that news to the people with the Eagles who needed to know that. He does expect to be disciplined and a fine is likely.

"I wasn’t feeling well, so I wasn’t really concerned about my phone and trying to reach out," Bradham explained. "That’s all it was.”

There is still a chance Bradham is benched for a series or part of the game Sunday.

Bradham has had two other off-the-field incidents while with the Eagles, a somewhat high-profile alleged assault of a cabana boy at a Miami-area hotel back in 2017, which resulted in a one-game suspension negotiated down from six. He also left a loaded gun in a travel bag he brought to the Miami airport.

FRIDAY FLAVOR:

-There was a very light practice today inside the NovaCare Complex bubble due to the outer bands of Hurricane Dorian arriving in the area. Brandon Brooks (Achilles), Alshon Jeffery (biceps) and Derek Barnett (shoulder) were all practicing. Nate Sudfeld was throwing without a helmet and is down to a wrap on his broken left wrist while Jordan Mailata was out stretching his balky lower back.

-Doug Pederson called a report that the Eagles were shopping Jordan Howard in a potential trade for Los Angeles Chargers holdout Melvin Gordon "false."

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen