Brandon Graham returned to Eagles practice Thursday, marking a meaningful boost for the veteran defensive end’s chances of completing a comeback for Super Bowl LIX just two months after suffering a torn triceps.
Graham, 36, initially said his season was over after he sustained the injury in Week 12 against the Los Angeles Rams. After the Eagles clinched a Super Bowl berth in a win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday, though, Graham hinted in the postgame locker room that an early return might be on the table.
That return took a significant step Thursday, when the Eagles announced that they opened the 21-day practice window for Graham in time for their afternoon session at Lincoln Financial Field. During the early portion of practice open to the media, Graham went through the team’s warmup period and joined the rest of the defensive line in individual drills. He wore a brace over his left arm.
Graham was officially listed as a limited participant in Thursday’s practice, but said he didn’t feel any discomfort going through individual drills that required him to utilize his triceps muscle. He is expected to rejoin team drills in the coming days. While he’s optimistic he will be ready to come off IR, Graham said he’d have to speak with the team’s medical staff throughout the next two weeks to determine whether he’ll be cleared for the team’s rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Today I struck a little bit and I didn’t feel anything, so I’m not really worried about it,” Graham said. “But we’re just going to ramp it up a little more every day.
“So far, man, this has been one of the easiest injuries I’ve had compared to the ones I had before. If it’s not feeling right, I’m not going to do it, but so far, so good. … As long as I don’t have any setbacks, I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”
According to the New York Times and Forbes.com, torn triceps injuries typically take between five and six months to fully heal. Graham, who suffered the injury on Nov. 24, said the team’s medical staffers initially told him they didn’t think this hastened timeline would be feasible, but have since acknowledged that he’s ahead of schedule two months and two weeks later.
Graham also acknowledged the inherent risk of re-tearing his triceps with an early return, something he said he would accept if he is cleared to play.
“I know everybody’s body is different,” Graham said. “Now, even the trainers are like, ‘OK, let’s go for it.’ I know the risks, but the reward would be so much sweeter. To go out there and be able to help the team and then go out there and get a win and get that ring, it would all be worth it.”
Despite entering what he conceded may be his final season, one in which he expected to have a limited role, Graham was one of the team’s most productive pass rushers before going on IR. He had 3½ sacks, seven tackles for losses, and 20 total tackles while playing 46% of the team’s defensive snaps. Eagles second-year edge rusher Nolan Smith saw an uptick in playing time in Graham’s absence and has been productive as well, leading the Eagles with four sacks during the playoffs.
Graham said he “wasn’t there yet” when asked Thursday if a potential comeback would be the last game of his career. For now, he’s focused on enjoying the days of practice his speedy recovery have granted him.
“It just feels good to be in this position,” Graham said. “To put them pads on today, get out there and move around, be out there with the guys. I was excited, talking my stuff out there to the guys. … I’m just enjoying it, today was a good one, tomorrow we’ll see what happens. We’re just going to keep working until we get there.”
Holding their first full practice of the week Thursday, the Eagles listed Landon Dickerson (knee), Cam Jurgens (back), DeVonta Smith (hamstring), Kenny Gainwell (concussion/knee), Dallas Goedert (rest/ankle), Moro Ojomo (shoulder), Eli Ricks (illness), and Nolan Smith (illness) as nonparticipants. A.J. Brown and Saquon Barkley were also held out for rest purposes.
Britain Covey (neck) was also listed as a limited participant, while tight end C.J. Uzomah (abdomen) was listed as a full participant after the Eagles opened his 21-day practice window on Thursday as well.
Source: www.inquirer.com…