Eagles Notes: Eagles' Brandon Graham may get more playing time

Last week, defensive end Brandon Graham said he was hoping to double the number of snaps he played in the opener - four - in the Eagles' second game.

He played that many plus one against the Ravens. Still, Graham was at the bottom of the food chain for the second straight week, playing the lowest number of snaps among the Eagles' five defensive ends.

That could change, however, after Graham made perhaps the most plays per snap on Sunday. He hurried Joe Flacco into two errant throws, hit the Baltimore quarterback another time, and stopped running back Ray Rice for a short gain.

"They're trying to juggle everybody," Graham said Wednesday. "Shoot, all I can do is, with the limited snaps I do [have], just make the best of them."

Eagles coach Andy Reid said essentially the same thing Monday. But with Darryl Tapp and Phillip Hunt - the two ends directly ahead of Graham on the depth chart - doing less with more snaps, it's safe to assume that the Eagles' No. 1 pick in 2010 will see more action Sunday against the Cardinals.

"Maybe so. I don't know what they plan on doing," Graham said. "But I do know they're not turning their back on me. That's one thing I'm happy about."

With his hip pointer still tender, Jeremy Maclin did not practice Wednesday.

The wide receiver was hurt Sunday, suffering a bruise similar to the one he got in the opener against the Browns.

Maclin said after Sunday's game that he was in more pain from the second injury. He was questionable heading into the Ravens game but ended up starting. Reid said that there is no further risk to the injury but that Maclin's readiness for Arizona will depend on how much pain he can handle.

"Jeremy actually had a good day yesterday, and he got treatment today, so we'll just see," Reid said.

If Maclin can't play, rookie Damaris Johnson will likely start opposite DeSean Jackson. The Eagles will once again be without receiver Riley Cooper (broken collarbone). Cooper said that he hopes to return by the New York Giants game on Sept. 30.

Tackle King Dunlap (hamstring) was held out Wednesday and is not expected to practice for the rest of the week.

"He's still sore, so we'll see," Reid said. "I think it will be a stretch for him to make [Sunday]."

Demetress Bell took practice repetitions in Dunlap's place and could start if Dunlap cannot play. Rookie Dennis Kelly is also an option at left tackle.

"I've felt like the last two, three weeks here, [Bell's] really got a pretty good grasp of things," Reid said.

Colt Anderson skipped practice with a hyperextended knee. Jackson (hamstring) and Cooper were limited.

Steve Vallos returned to practice 19 days after the Eagles cut him.

The offensive lineman, who was released Aug. 31 as the team trimmed its roster to 53 players, was signed Tuesday when center Jason Kelce was placed on season-ending injured reserve.

"You just have to wait around for an injury. They're going to happen," Vallos said. "It's good for me, [but] it's tough for this team and Jason. But that's just how it is."

Dallas Reynolds will start in place of Kelce on Sunday. Vallos will back him up. Reid was asked if those two would eventually compete for the starting job.

"I haven't thought about that," Reid said. "I just want both playing well."

Reid said that Vallos was one of the "tougher cuts" he had to make before the roster deadline. Had the vested veteran made the team, his salary for the entire season would have been guaranteed.