NEW ORLEANS — Star defensive end Brandon Graham from the Philadelphia Eagles has received medical clearance to return to the field after suffering a torn triceps 11 weeks ago. He is set to play in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs.
At 36 years old, Graham’s injury, which occurred during a game against the Los Angeles Rams on November 24, had led many to believe that his season—and potentially his career—was over. Shortly after the injury, he was placed on injured reserve, prompting him to consider that it might be the last season of his long-standing career. However, Graham re-entered the conversation about making a comeback as the Eagles advanced through the playoffs. Throughout their journey, including victories in all three NFC playoff matchups, Graham began to entertain the idea of donning his No. 55 jersey again for the Super Bowl. This number had become a symbol of good fortune for him after the Eagles scored 55 points in the NFC championship game.
In the week leading up to the Super Bowl, Graham participated in practice, initially as a limited participant before fully joining on the injury report as of Friday. By Saturday, he was reinstated to the 53-man roster. During a recent interview in New Orleans, he shared his excitement about taking the field for Super Bowl introductions, stating, “It’ll feel great because you worked your butt off to get back. I know the team worked their butt off to get here and I want to be there for them.”
Graham remains a pivotal figure in the Eagles’ history, being one of only four players left from the 2017 championship-winning team. Selected in the first round of the NFL draft out of Michigan in 2010, he previously announced this season would be his last. However, the injury forced him to reevaluate that decision, leaving his retirement plans uncertain.
He is also known for a monumental play in Eagles history—a strip-sack of Tom Brady in the Super Bowl, an event that helped seal their 41-33 victory. Graham had a challenging 2021 season due to a torn Achilles tendon but rebounded strongly in 2022, achieving a career-high total of 11 sacks. This season, prior to his injury, he recorded 3.5 sacks in 11 games, and holds the Eagles’ franchise record for career postseason sacks with 5.5.
In their last Super Bowl encounter, Graham could not impact the game significantly, playing 18 snaps without registering a tackle or sack during the Eagles’ close loss to the Chiefs. Meanwhile, the Chiefs announced the elevation of linebacker Swayze Bozeman and cornerback Steven Nelson from their practice squad, opting not to activate wide receiver Skyy Moore from injured reserve, despite his participation in pre-Super Bowl practices.
Even though Graham’s re-entry could alter the Eagles’ established three-player rush strategy featuring Nolan Smith, Josh Sweat, and Jalyx Hunt, he expressed a desire not to disrupt the team’s rhythm. “If I can just add anything, I want to give everything I’ve got,” he said.
