NEW ORLEANS — On Super Bowl Sunday, Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham made his anticipated return to the field as he was activated from injured reserve the day before the big game. Graham had been sidelined for 11 weeks due to a torn triceps injury that he suffered on November 24 against the Rams. The 36-year-old athlete had faced doubts about his ability to return after his injury, but with the Eagles’ successful run through the playoffs, including three NFC victories, he expressed hope that he would be able to don his No. 55 jersey for the championship game.

As the clock neared kickoff, the inactive player list revealed no unexpected changes. The Eagles had a few notable players who would not be participating in the game, including offensive linemen Darian Kinnard and Trevor Keegan, wide receiver Ainias Smith, and defensive backs Eli Ricks, Lewis Cine, and Bryce Huff. The absence of Huff was particularly disappointing as he concluded his challenging first season with the Eagles. Huff, who had signed a lucrative three-year contract worth $51.1 million as a free agent, struggled with injuries and subpar performance throughout the season, ultimately contributing only 2.5 sacks over his stint and participating in only 13 snaps during the Eagles’ playoff run.

On the other side, the Chiefs named several players as inactive as well, including defensive backs Steven Nelson and Keith Taylor, linebacker Josh Uche, defensive end Malik Herring, and offensive linemen C.J. Hanson, Ethan Driskell, and Wanya Morris. The decisions regarding player availability came as both teams prepared to compete for the coveted championship trophy, with each team hoping to leverage their strengths while coping with the realities of injury and roster limitations.