Graham hamstrung in quest to keep streak alive

PHILADELPHIA » The longest active consecutive games played streak for an NFL safety belongs to an Eagle. And it will end Sunday. The streak is owned by Corey Graham, not Malcolm Jenkins or Rodney McLeod.

The Eagles ruled Graham out of their home opener Sunday with the New York Giants due to a hamstring injury.

The 32-year-old has played in 159 straight games in a 10-year tour through Chicago, Baltimore, Buffalo and Philly, for the last two games. The new active games played leader will be safety Glover Quin of the Lions, who has played 118 in a row.

Graham knew it was going to be tough staying on the field when his hamstring knotted up in the loss last week to the Chiefs. He’d never had a hamstring issue. As for the streak, it is what it is.

“It is important,” Graham said Friday. “But I mean, what’s more important is not tearing my hamstring off the bone and being gone for the next 14 weeks because I want to play one more week now instead of waiting. I’ve got to think about the bigger picture. I can’t really be selfish and think about a games streak now.”

The remarks came before the Eagles dispensed their injury report, which had some good news Friday. Safety Rodney McLeod, whose hamstring forced him out of the Chiefs game, is positioned to start his 83rd straight game, the third-longest active streak for a safety.

McLeod practiced on a limited basis Friday and though he’s listed as questionable, that’s better than being out.

“The goal was to take it day to day, and that’s what I’ve been doing,” McLeod said. “And it’s been improving. I was showing signs today of being back out there. We’ll just see Sunday what happens in the pregame.”

McLeod’s body language when he exited the Chiefs game, coupled with Jenkins’ bid to console him as he limped to the sideline, gave the impression he’d sustained a significant injury.

“My initial reaction was just frustration from working so hard,” McLeod. “It was just frustration. But things have been on the upside this week.”

Also listed as questionable is wide receiver Torrey Smith, who sat out practice Friday with an undisclosed illness.

The Eagles designated as out safety Jaylen Watkins (hamstring), cornerback Ronald Darby (ankle) and defensive tackle Destiny Vaeao (wrist).

If there’s another injury at safety, the Eagles can turn to linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill, who’s gotten some practice time there. Or they can try cornerback Patrick Robinson, who has been practicing in the slot and outside.

Robinson says he’s no Eric Berry.

“I’m more of an Ed Reed type,” Robinson said with a grin. “I’m trying to find the ball. Angles are very important. On those deep balls you better have the right angle or you could overrun. Or if you have too flat of an angle, the ball goes over your head. And definitely in the running game, you’ve got those quick backs nowa-days who can cut on a dime. That could be the difference between a tackle or he’s gone. Angles are very important.”

While much has been made of the injuries in the Eagles’ secondary, the pass rush has done a solid job of hurrying quarterbacks, and that disrupts the timing with receivers.

The Eagles have eight sacks in two games, including 2.5 by Brandon Graham and two by Fletcher Cox.