Graham might not play again this year
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Graham might not play again this year
Jonathan Tamari
Brandon Graham, last year's number one pick, indicated Wednesday that coaches might hold him out of the Eagles' remaining games as he comes back from microfracture surgery last December.
"I figure, it’s three games, four games left, they want me for the long haul, so it’s probably like – next year," Graham said. He has been on the 53-man roster since week 9, but has only played in two games -- Nov. 7 and 13. He has practiced but hasn't played a snap since then (he was inactive three times and dressed but didn't get on the field against Seattle).
It's worth noting that Graham doesn't necessarily know what his coaches have planned and the Eagles have not officially ruled him out. Graham thought he was going to play Sunday and was told before warm ups that he would be inactive. Coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that Graham looked better last week than the week before -- though his decision on the player didn't reflect that. Graham was inactive against the Dolphins. The week before he at least dressed, even though he didn't play.
Graham said he feels healthy and that he could play, but that coaches probably don't want to risk further injury, especially with the way Steve Smith's season suddenly ended. The receiver was also coming back from microfracture surgery.
"I'm disappointed, but at the same time, I'm not really worried about it because I understand what they’re trying to do," Graham said.
He is well aware, though, of how his injury looks to fans who are already worried that last year's top pick may have been a mistake, especially when they see defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul tear up offenses for the Giants. Pierre-Paul was drafted two slots after Graham.
"That boy been balling," he said. "I can’t say nothing, other than control what I can and that’s get better and live up to my expectations."
Graham knows Pierre-Paul's numbers: 12.5 sacks, a big blocked field goal last week.
"It’s tough for me going through it because I’ve got to live with it," Graham said, referring to the expectations and comparisons. At times, he doesn't even want to go out because he knows the questions he will face from fans.
Graham had three sacks as a rookie, but his second season was effectively lost when he tore his ACL Dec. 12, 2010. Most players need a year to come back from microfracture surgery. Smith was also a shell of his old self this year.
Graham said he will continue to practice and hopes to play, but isn't sure if he will get another chance this year.
"If I make it to the playoffs, I’m sure I’ll play then, but right now, I just see that they’ll probably say that there’s not a point even for him to get out there," he said.
The Eagles may need an additional defensive end this week because Darryl Tapp is dealing with a broken rib and coach Andy Reid said he might not be able to play. If Graham sits again, Juqua Parker would be in line to take Tapp's place, assuming Phillip Hunt remains part of the rotation as well.
Other injuries:
-- Michael Vick (ribs) was sore from the game Sunday and coach Andy Reid did not say for sure that the quarterback would practice. "We'll see," he said, but indicated that he's confident Vick will be able to play Sunday.
-- Todd Herremans (ankle), Jeremy Maclin (hamstring) and Cullen Jenkins (groin) are other injuries to watch. They participated in the morning walk through but Reid again said "we'll see" whether they all practice today. Maclin could not finish the game Sunday, though Herremans and Jenkins did not miss any time.
Comment removed.
How do you say BUST! B U S T! He'll be out of football in a year or two.— alwaysphil1
God, why do injuries always seem to happen to us? Argh!— kalina- i see why we cant win any games at home we have the most ignorant and negative fans in the league if we had tebow right now we would be complaining about his passes etc instead of enjoying the wins ....never satisfied i can see it now philly wins a superbowl and we pick apart the win like a loss or complain about not winning before smh i cant stand the sky is falling idiots every gm has hits and misses its football get over it i guess mckoy maclin jackson are all bad draft picks ........— positive eagle
- STIFF
- Comment removed.
- Rosenman is Banner's boy. He knows squat about fball and probably hasn't played since pee wee football, if then. He's be a disaster drafting over the past several years. He's selected two bad safeties, one mediocre one and a 1st round undersized DE who can't crack the starting line up or stay healthy. Four wasted draft picks which explains why the Eagles are pathetic at the linebacker and safety positions, where they've attempted to fill those positions thru the draft. Rosenman is likely the Eagles biggest problem. Replacing Andy but retaining Rosenman and his Godfather Banner will do nothing to improve the team. Not even a defensive genius could turn that rag tag group of LBs and safeties into an effective unit.— BLUEBELLION
- Did I miss something? Did Graham actually even play this year?— Wiseman6
- While it's certainly fashionable to pick on the Eagles' drafting, the fact is they really aren't that bad overall. Look at the NY Giants' past two drafts. A competitive team, though perhaps not top tier. Of the 2011, draft, they have exactly zero starters. Of the 2010, there are two starters (Jason Pierre Paul and Linval Joseph). If you take a look at the Eagles in the same period, we have Jason Kelce, Danny Watkins, Nate Allen. Graham it's hard to criticize because of his injury. Now Paul and Joseph are superior players and I think once next year hits, we can more fairly estimate Allen & Graham, but it's rather soon. Go back further and you'll see great picks, like Maclin, Jackson, McCoy. It's not fair yet to criticize the drafting overall, but it is very fair to say they haven't done adequately on the defensive side of the ball.— jemmert
- Another lousy player from Michigan......— delcodanno
- another number 1 draft pick well spent!!!— Cxgtr
- Graham came back overweight, I'm sure coaches and trainers were not thrilled.— camasbud
- The drafting has been woeful. Other than RB and WR, we haven't drafted anyone stellar since 2005 (Trent Cole).— cea
- Graham or Pierre-Paul? One is playing at a high level and the other is pla........Oh my bad he aint on the field. I hope you got a degree from Michigan your gonna need it.— NC Eagle Fan
