Will Brandon Graham Actually Be Back For SB 59?
When Brandon Graham tore his tricep back in week 12, the thought was that his season was over. He said so himself. But over the past few weeks there started to be some hope that if the Eagles made it to the Super Bowl, he could maybe return. Those hopes became more real on Thursday when he was designated to return from the IR, and took part in practice for the first time since the injury.
But is he actually going to play? He seems optimistic. He spoke to the media after practice, and he certainly sounds like someone who is ready to play.
“I don’t feel restricted at all. Whatever I have to do to get ready for this 1 game, I feel like I can do it...
I’m just thankful to be out on the field. I’m just happy to go get everything in the Super Bowl.”
Nothing is official yet. He has 1.5 weeks to get up to speed. They will likely see how he reacts to the first practice, see how he looks in the next practice, and go from there.
Brandon Graham Could Add Much Needed Depth
What he said makes it sound like he is planning to play. They could use him too. Nolan Smith, Josh Sweat have played very well, but they have also played a lot. The depth behind them is very limited. There is rookie Jalyx Hunt, who gets a handful of snaps, and then nothing.
Bryce Huff is completely out of favor. The Eagles 2nd biggest FA acquisition only saw the field in the NFC Championship game when the starters were pulled. They aren’t going to suddenly feel comfrotable throwing him out there in the case of an emergency.
Sweat and Smith playing the majority of snaps has worked to this point, and could continue to work, but you would love to have more depth in the case something goes wrong.
Graham, even as an emergency option, could be that depth. Think back to the Commanders game where Cam Jurgens was a emergency option at center, and then had to go in when Landon Dickerson was hurt.
Graham Still Has A Lot To Offer
The last time we saw Brandon Graham he was in the middle ofone of his best games in years. He kind of took over that Rams game for a bit. He got a sack, a big stop in the run game, deflected a pass, and got some key pressures as well. Before he got hurt, it was a Brandon Graham renassiance.
Graham told reporters he will only play if he can go full tilt. He does not want to force things. Not because he is worried about reinjury, but because he does not want to be in the way of his teammates who he noted have worked hard to get here. But it would certainly mean a lot to everyone, both on and off the field, for him to be there.
Graham will forever be remembered for the strip sack on Tom Brady in the Eagles first ever Super Bowl win. The prospect of him making another memory like that at some point in Super Bowl 59, is certainly appealing. But we will have to wait until closer to the game to find out if he can actually play or not, Thursday was a great first step.
Graham still leads the Eagles in total playoff sacks with 5.5. But Nolan Smith is nipping on his heels with 4.5. Smith has a sack in every playoff game so far, including 2 vs the Packers. He got a .5 sack last year vs the Bucs. If Smith keeps that up, he would tie or surpass Graham. Graham would have a chance to protect that record if he plays though.