Eagles coach Chip Kelly finally received an explanation for Terrell Suggs' controversial hit on quarterback Sam Bradford.

In a preseason game on Aug. 22, Suggs tackled Bradford at the knees after he handed the ball off to running back Darren Sproles. The refs flagged him for roughing the passer, but NFL head of officiating Dean Blandino later explained the hit should not have resulted in a penalty. Since it was a read-option play — a notion Kelly denied — there was a chance Bradford could spot a hole in the defense, hold onto the ball and take off.

But the league sent out a notice to clubs late last week explaining the play. The design of the play apparently does not factor into whether the quarterback can be hit.

"It was explained to us you could have your back turned to the defense and if there’s potential for you to bootleg out of it, then you could be hit," Kelly said on Monday.

"It has nothing to do with the play. I think that was the biggest thing we come away from. It doesn’t matter what play you’re running — if you’re handing the ball off and there’s the potential that you could keep it on a bootleg or whatever, you can be hit. So those are the rules, we’ll practice with the rules like that."

There was a hint of disbelief in Kelly's voice as he explained the NFL's stance. That's understandable. It's a stretch to think Bradford was a threat to run when Suggs hit him. It's even more of a stretch for a quarterback with his back turned to the defense to be considered a runner.

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But the NFL rulebook often does not align with logic. Look no further than the non-catch by Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant in the divisional round of last year's playoffs.