Eagles edge rusher Brandon Graham, who doesn’t yet know if he’ll play in Super Bowl LIX, practiced with limitations on Thursday for the first time since tearing his triceps in late November. It was the first step of what he called a “day-by-day” plan to see if he’ll be healthy enough to play in what could very well be the 15-year veteran’s final game before retirement.
“Whatever I gotta do to get ready for this one game, I feel like I can do it,” Graham said.
Graham tore his triceps against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12, and the injury was initially considered to be season-ending. Indeed, if Graham had stuck to his original recovery timeline, it would’ve been. Graham said he’s two months into what he was told would be a four-month recovery timeline. By opening his 21-day practice window, the Eagles kickstarted a process that carries the risk of a potential re-tear.
“I’m the one that wants to take the risk,” Graham said. “… I know the risk. But the reward will be so much sweeter. You know, to go out there and be able to help the team. Then, we go out there and get a win and get that ring, it’ll be all worth it.”
Graham has been communicating with the team’s medical staff. He said they’re going “to come up with a plan” that will eventually decide whether the Eagles will carry him on their active roster for the Feb. 9 game. On Thursday, Graham only participated in individual drills. He said he “felt good” striking with his injured arm. He said he’ll “probably” get some reps in team drills during Friday’s practice.
“Today was a great start,” Graham said. “As long as I don’t have no setback, I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”
Graham said he took a month off after suffering his injury, then began rehab. He first established stable push-pull, side-to-side movements with his elbow. He ensured equal strength in both arms. He underwent acupuncture treatments and took supplements. Graham said he understood that a re-tear would force him to start the recovery process over in the offseason. He did not address why that factor ultimately may not matter: it’s possible the 36-year-old will retire after the season, anyway.
“I ain’t there yet,” Graham said when asked whether Super Bowl LIX will be his last game.
“I mean, you know where I’m at,” Graham added. “I’m 15 (seasons) in. So, I’m at this point where, hey, all or nothing baby. And we here right now, and, I mean, today was just a great start. I’m not going to say — I don’t know what I’ll feel like, but today was a great start.”
Should Graham return, his exact role remains uncertain following the emergence of 2023 first-rounder Nolan Smith, who has registered seven sacks since Graham went down, including four sacks across January’s three playoff games. His effectiveness against the run — he has a team-leading four tackles for loss in the playoffs — also dissuades a scenario in which Graham is deployed in base packages.
In 11 regular season games this year, Graham posted 20 total tackles, six tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, besting his three sacks in 17 games last season. Graham’s 76.5 sacks in his 15-year tenure with the Eagles rank third in franchise history.
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