The Sports Xchange

PHILADELPHIA — When he was with the St. Louis Rams, quarterback Sam Bradford had one of the best interception percentages in league history.

But in six games with the Eagles he already has nine picks.

That’s the second most in the league. Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur was asked if Bradford has mentally recovered from his back-to-back ACL injuries.

“I think so,” Shurmur said. “I think he’s mentally over it. I think he’s physically able to play. The big thing with Sam, he’s just got to keep training and keep playing. When he plays, there certainly are way more good plays than bad.

“He just needs to keep eliminating the bad ones. And then everybody outside the building will start talking about that was a good performance (against the Giants).

“Because he did a lot of things to help us win the game.”

Bradford was asked if he found a common problem in his nine interceptions, not counting the interceptions themselves, of course.

“I don’t know,” he said. “If I knew, I would stop throwing them. It is something that I never really had a problem with in my career. I had never thrown a lot of interceptions. So this is kind of new to me.”

Continuing on this theme, the Eagles turned the ball over four times in Monday’s 27-7 win over the New York Giants, including those three interceptions by Bradford.

It was the 12th time the Chip Kelly-coached Eagles had three or more giveaways in a game, and the eighth time in the last 19 games.

Usually, teams that turn the ball over four times in a game are going to lose. The Eagles are 4-8 in those 12 games, including a 20-10 Week 2 loss to the Cowboys.

–In their first six games, the Eagles faced mostly stationary quarterback targets. But that will change Sunday night when they go up against Carolina’s Cam Newton.

Newton is averaging 10 carries and 45 rushing yards per game for the Panthers (5-0). He has 18 rushing first downs, which is the 13th best in the league.

Newton personally converted seven of eight down-and-distance situations of two yards or less.

“Cam is really running that offense at a high rate right now,” Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis said Wednesday morning. “You’re going to get your runs from him, which is unique to the NFL. You’re going to get about 8-to-10 runs from him that you have to prepare for. But probably more impressively is how he’s kind of settled into the passing game. He’s not making the mistakes. He’s taking what you give and he’s moving the ball a little bit. He did a great job on the last drive (last week) against Seattle.”

NOTES: Linebacker Mychal Kendricks, who missed three of the last four games with a hamstring injury, was a full practice participant Wednesday and, although it’s still uncertain whether he will play Sunday, the decision might include consideration that DeMeco Ryans is also battling a hamstring injury. … Linebacker Kiko Alonso practiced for the first time Wednesday since injuring a knee in Week 2, but was limited and is not expected to play Sunday. … Wide receiver Nelson Agholor (ankle) didn’t practice Wednesday and probably won’t play Sunday against Carolina. … Wide receiver Josh Huff, who injured a knee in Monday night’s win, was a full practice participant Wednesday.