Brandon Graham’s possible return to the Eagles is getting closer.
On Thursday, the Eagles opened Graham’s practice window, meaning there’s still a chance he could play in Super Bowl LIX against the Chiefs next Sunday in New Orleans.
Graham has been on Injured Reserve since November 26, following a triceps tear during the Eagles’ win over the Rams in Inglewood, California.
The Eagles were scheduled to practice Thursday, Friday, and Saturday this week before heading to New Orleans on Sunday. Graham won’t be counted on the 53-man roster unless the team activates him from Injured Reserve.
After the Eagles won the NFC Championship Game, Graham told NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Dave Zangaro that he had an exam scheduled to see if he could return after just 11 weeks.
“I’ve been working, man, but we’re going to see,” Graham said. “At the end of the day, I’m just happy we got there. Them boys scored 55 today. That’s what’s up. That might be telling me something.”
This was a reference to B.G.’s jersey number since 2013.
Graham was a key player in the Eagles’ win over the Patriots in Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis. His strip sack of Tom Brady with 2:16 left in the game helped the Eagles win 41-33, and it remains one of the most memorable moments in franchise history.
Graham and Lane Johnson are the only position players left from the Eagles’ only Super Bowl championship.
At 36, Graham was playing at a high level in his 15th season before getting injured. He had 3 ½ sacks, one forced fumble, six tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, and two pass knockdowns in 11 games, averaging 28 snaps per game.
In his last game, Graham increased his career sack total to 76 ½, moving past Clyde Simmons (76) and into third place in Eagles history behind Reggie White (124) and former teammate Trent Cole (85 ½).
Graham holds the franchise record with 5 ½ career postseason sacks, though Nolan Smith is only one behind him.
With Graham out, Vic Fangio has used a three-man edge rush rotation with Smith, Josh Sweat, and rookie Jalyx Hunt. Smith has 10 ½ sacks, including four in the postseason; Sweat has 8.0 but none in his last five games; and Hunt has 2 ½, including one in the playoff win over the Rams. Bryce Huff, a big-money free agent, has played just 13 snaps in the postseason, mostly in garbage time.
Graham said Sunday that whether he plays or not, he’ll be an important part of the team’s Super Bowl push.
“I’m with it regardless,” he said. “Yes or no, it don’t matter. I’m just happy these guys is just working their butt off and now we got to the Super Bowl. Now we gotta go finish.”
