Eagles Notes: Austin takes a seat

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Miles Austin was sidelined in the Eagles' 35-28 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday as a healthy scratch. The Eagles played first-year receiver Jonathan Krause over Austin.

Although coach Chip Kelly said the move was not a statement, it was a clear decision to sit the veteran receiver whose production has not matched his playing time.

"Krause is just a guy that has shown up in practice every since day, and we felt like we wanted to give him an opportunity to play," Kelly said of the change.

Austin signed a one-year, $2.3 million contract in the offseason. He played 50 percent of the offensive snaps before Sunday and recorded only 13 catches for 224 yards and one touchdown.

Krause, who was promoted from the practice squad last week, caught one pass for 4 yards. He was targeted twice.

Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford returned to the lineup after missing two games because of a concussion and a separated nonthrowing shoulder. Bradford said his shoulder felt fine after the game. He finished 14 of 24 for 120 yards and two touchdowns. He has gone three games without a turnover.

"He's grown every game," Kelly said. "We have great faith and great trust in him. He continues to grow because we are around each other. He's got eight or nine games underneath his belt, but I think you've seen improvement out of him. In this league, turnovers are paramount, and I think that's a big part of it when you've got a quarterback that's not going to go out there and turn the ball over."

Defensive lineman Cedric Thornton did not play Sunday because of an ankle injury. The Eagles started Taylor Hart in his place and also used Brandon Bair, who is usually not active for games when every player is healthy. Hart had four tackles. Bair had three tackles.

The other inactive players were quarterback Thad Lewis, running back Ryan Mathews, cornerback Denzel Rice, offensive lineman Barrett Jones, and offensive lineman Tanner Hawkinson.

The Eagles played defensive back Jaylen Watkins in his first game since signing with the team on Nov. 27.

The Eagles scored three non-offensive touchdowns. In the last two years, they are the only team to score on a blocked punt and punt return in the same game. They also scored three non-offensive touchdowns in Week 4 last season. . . . Both Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham registered two sacks on Tom Brady. Graham now has a career-high 6.5 sacks. . . . Tight end Zach Ertz caught his first touchdown of the season.