Graham back with Saints after arrest, `medical episode'
New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was in the midst of a “medical episode” and was disoriented when he was taken into custody in the Los Angeles area and transported to a hospital, the team said Saturday.
Graham was stopped by police on Friday night while reportedly wandering in traffic and booked on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance.
The Saints announced Graham has been evaluated by team doctor John Amoss, was released from a hospital on Saturday morning and was back with the team as it prepared for a preseason game tonight against the Chargers.
The team said Amoss determined Graham “likely” was suffering the effects of a seizure when he was apprehended on Friday night. Graham spent the night under medical supervision and testing, the team said.
“Amoss met Graham at the hospital and is overseeing his care at this time,” the Saints' statement said.
It was not immediately clear whether Graham , 36, would be available to play today.
Graham is a five-time Pro Bowl player who spent last season out of football but returned to the league last month when he signed a one-year contract with New Orleans. He spent his first five seasons with the Saints before stops in Seattle, Green Bay and Chicago.
TAGOVAILOA REBOUNDS AFTER INTERCEPTION » Tua Tagovailoa was intercepted on his first play of the preseason Saturday for the Miami Dolphins in Houston against the Texans.
His second drive went much better.
Playing in his first game since sustaining a concussion on Christmas Day, Tagovailoa led a 14-play, 93yard drive capped by a 2-yard scoring run by Raheem Mostert to give the Dolphins an early lead in a 28-3 win.
Tagovailoa sat down after that, ending his day 5 of 7 for 61 yards for the Dolphins (1-1).
Houston rookie C.J. Stroud was much sharper than he was in his NFL debut last week when he was picked off on his first possession and finished with 13 yards passing on two drives. Playing the entire first half, the second overall pick was 7 of 12 for 60 yards and helped the Texans (1-1) to a field goal on his second drive.
He had five straight completions on that drive, highlighted by a 14-yard throw on the run to Noah Brown. Stroud hasn't yet been announced as the team's starter. But he has started both preseason games and works almost exclusively with the first team in practice, making it seem increasingly likely that he'll replace Davis Mills this season.
While Stroud showed improvement Saturday, perhaps the biggest play of the day for Houston came early in the second quarter by defensive end Will Anderson Jr., who was taken third in this year's draft.
Anderson came off the line unblocked and plowed over running back Salvon Ahmed to sack Skylar Thompson for an 11-yard loss and force a fumble. Thompson quickly jumped on the ball to get it back.
Anderson, who had 581/2 tackles for losses and 341/2 sacks in three seasons for Alabama, is expected to help improve a defense that has struggled to get to the quarterback in recent years.
GIANTS SHOW OFF NEW WEAPONS » Tight end Darren Waller and rookie wide receiver Jalin Hyatt are living up to all the hype that surrounded them coming to the New York Giants.
Waller, 30, has developed a strong rapport with Daniel Jones since being acquired in a trade from Las Vegas, clearly emerging as the quarterback's top option.
A speedy third-round draft pick out of Tennessee, Hyatt has been the main deep threat since the Giants opened training camp.
Jones, Waller and Hyatt put on a show Friday night as the Giants beat the Carolina Panthers 21-19.
The Jones-Waller combination hooked up three times for 30 yards as New York's first-team offense opened the game with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that Jones culminated with a 4-yard pass to Daniel Bellinger.
“He's a player that you can use in different roles relative to where he lines up at the line of scrimmage or outside the line of scrimmage,” coach Brian Daboll said of Waller.
“He's capable of doing those things. So it gives you some flexibility in terms of formation and personnel usage and things like that. And he's done that throughout his career. He's a good guy to have on your team and work with.”
“He's a big target,” said Jones, who completed 8 of 9 passes for 69 yards. “He runs good routes, creates separation, he's an easy guy to find. So, yeah, he's a talented player, smart guy, understands defense, understands where we're trying to use him and how to get open.”
Hyatt had one touch on the opening drive and it was a short toss that resulted in a 3-yard loss. He was much better later in the half, getting open and catching a 33-yard TD pass from Tyrod Taylor just before halftime. He made a move on safety Eric Rowe that created plenty of space.