I read in the OP that the baggage was DESTROYED.

Then I read that the bag was actually INJURED.

Kind of a poor choice of words since in some airports, abandoned bags are actually DESTROYED to eliminate the unknown risks....

It sounds like the bag got stuck in a conveyor jam that gnawed away at the bag.

Unless UA claims that you filed a claim too late since it wasn't at the airport before you left (this MAY happen), thay will probably have you surrender the injured bag and then ship you a replacement (of similar quality) a week or so later via Fedex.

I've also had a UA baggage service employee bring out a new replacement (generic) bag for me to take over at ORD. That was pretty cool and I still use the bag every month.