Tim Tebow will get playing time in Eagles' preseason opener vs. Colts

PHILADELPHIA -- Sam Bradford is out, Mark Sanchez will start, and Tim Tebow will get playing time when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Indianapolis Colts in the preseason Sunday.

Few, if any, players fighting for a roster spot ever drew more attention than Tebow. He is back after sitting out two seasons and is competing for a job as the No. 3 quarterback. His passing skills have improved and everyone is eager to see how innovative coach Chip Kelly plans to use him.

"Tim obviously has a lot of skills that other quarterbacks don't have because of his ability to run the football," Kelly said. "But we haven't delved into any of that."

Tebow will get a chance to show his skills Sunday. He's been impressive and sometimes erratic during training camp.

With Tebow, it's not always pretty. But he often finds a way to win.

"Tim is a little bit of a gamer," offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. "These team settings which are a little bit uncontrolled, he gets out there and makes plays. And we've seen great improvements in him from his ability to execute our offense. Then he's got that skill set where if it's not right, he's willing to take off and run, and when he's running with it, he's like a running back."

Bradford is Philadelphia's starting QB. He will practice against the Baltimore Ravens next week -- when the Eagles and Ravens will have some joint practices -- and then play in next Saturday's preseason game against Baltimore.

"Obviously, I wanted to be out there" on Sunday, Bradford said. "I was preparing to be out there. This morning, he (Kelly) sat down and explained it to me. That's up to him. I'll be ready to roll next week out there against the Ravens."

Sanchez is the backup. Tebow and Matt Barkley are battling for the third spot. Tebow may have an advantage because of the intangibles. His athleticism fits Kelly's up-tempo offense. Perhaps Kelly will use Tebow to run a few zone-read plays. Maybe he'll be a 2-point conversion specialist.

"My focus is whatever coach out here is trying to implement, do it as well as possible," Tebow said. "Then, when the game comes, sometimes it's a little bit different, getting tackled and getting hit."

The knock against Tebow has been his accuracy. His career completion percentage is 47.9. Tebow worked with former major league pitcher Tom House on mechanics during the past two years. And it shows.

"I think I've improved," Tebow said. "I'm continuing to try to improve every day. It takes time, but it's been happening, and I just want to continue that process."

Information from The Associated Press and ESPN.com Eagles reporter Phil Sheridan was included in this report.br/]