The Sports Xchange

PHILADELPHIA — In the Philadelphia Eagles’ first three games, quarterback Sam Bradford attempted just seven passes longer than 19 yards. He didn’t complete any of them. In last week’s three-point loss to the Redskins, he was 4-for-8 for 176 yards and two touchdowns on throws longer than 19 yards.

“It’s good to finally put that on tape,” Bradford said. “It’s not something that we’ve been shying away from. It just hadn’t presented itself until last Sunday. But now that it’s out there, teams will have to respect us pushing the ball down the field. Hopefully, it will back people off and open up some of the intermediate stuff.”

–Rookie linebacker Jordan Hicks figured to spend his first NFL season primarily on special teams. But injuries to inside linebackers Kiko Alonso and Mychal Kendricks changed all that. Hicks, the team’s third-round pick out of Texas, has played 156 of 160 snaps the last two games. He already has an interception, two fumble recoveries and a sack.

“Jordan is really smart,” said the team’s other inside linebacker, veteran DeMeco Ryans. “He knows where to be. He knows his position. He knows his technique. There’s not much that I have to tell Jordan when we’re out there on the field together. He’s done a really good job. He’s stepped in and played really well.”

–The Eagles have just six sacks in their first four games. But defensive coordinator Bill Davis insisted the sack total is not indicative of the pressure the Eagles have been putting on quarterbacks.

“There is more pressure than there are sacks,” he said. “When you face teams like we’ve faced the last few weeks where the ball is out lightning quick, you always say, ‘Well, the rush isn’t getting there.’ But how long is he holding the ball? On the ones that he’s holding it long, if we’re not pressuring on those, then we’re in trouble. But guys are getting there. We’re running stunts better than we’ve ever run stunts. We’ve got to get (more) pressure on the quarterback and get him down and affect the throws. That has to increase. But we actually aren’t horrible right there. The sack numbers are.”

Notes: Cornerback Byron Maxwell, who injured his quad early in Sunday’s loss to Washington, didn’t practice Wednesday, but is hopeful he’ll be able to play this week against the Saints. If he can’t go, rookie Eric Rowe likely will replace him. E.J. Biggers is another possibility. … Defensive end Cedric Thornton, who has missed the last two games with a broken hand, was a full practice participant Wednesday and is expected to play against the Saints on Sunday.