Graham thinks he can ‘get right’ before opener
PHILADELPHIA » The Eagles welcomed sacks leader Brandon Graham back to practice Monday, albeit on a limited basis.
His ankle feeling well following a lengthy rehab from offseason surgery, the gritty veteran whose Super Bowl LII strip sack of Tom Brady is one of the most iconic plays in club history was taken off the physically unable to perform list.
The good news is Graham, 30, thinks he can be ready for the opener without playing in preseason games. But he wasn’t going to guarantee he’d play in that Sept. 6 season and home opener against the Atlanta Falcons.
“We’re going to see how this week goes, and we’ll see how next week goes and then we can talk about it,” said Graham, who registered a career-high 9½ sacks last season. “I don’t want to make no promises. Just know I’m working my butt off every day. Putting money in the bank every day.”
In addition to double the individual conditioning work at practice, Graham says he’s looking for sparring partners.
“I’m Just trying to cut weight,” Graham said. “Boxing is real good, especially with using my hands. I always do that during the offseason, always focus on my hands because as a D-1 lineman those are gold. You’ve got to use your hands in everything.”
Graham didn’t revisit his contract, which expires at the end of the season. He’d like to be an Eagles player for life. To get a new deal with the Eagles or any team, the first step is to prove he’s
healthy.
“The ankle feels pretty good,” Graham said. “Right now, it’s just about getting in shape. Getting in football shape. This week is just a building block for Week 1. I’m just excited because now I’ve got 17 days to get right.”
Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz felt like Graham never left. When Graham wasn’t rehabbing, he was in the meeting rooms studying the scheme with his teammates. “It’s great to have him back,” Schwartz said. “He’s a guy that has done a lot for our defense.”
*** NOTES » Alshon Jeffery still is on the PUP list after surgery for a torn rotator cuff. … Nelson Agholor and Corey Clement are unlikely to play in the third preseason game due to hamstring issues. … Jay Ajayi (knee), Donnel Pumphrey (hamstring) and Josh Adams (foot) didn’t practice Monday. Ditto Markus Wheaton (hamstring), Bryce Treggs (hamstring) and Richard Rodgers (knee).