Brandon Graham’s 15th NFL season might not be finished just yet.
On Thursday, the Philadelphia Eagles activated the practice window for the veteran defensive end and former Michigan star.
The 36-year-old Graham tore his triceps in Week 12 and was initially thought to be out for the season, but Thursday’s decision by Philadelphia raises the chance he could play in the Feb. 9 Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The 2010 first-round selection, who has played his entire career with the Eagles, said in a radio interview Monday that he is approaching his recovery “one day at a time” but did not rule out playing in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
“I haven’t heard anything, man,” Graham said, per Zach Berman of PHLY. “I’m just happy to be here, happy for this team, happy for this opportunity.
“I feel great. This has been the easiest injury, I’d say, out of the ones I’ve had. Upper body injuries are a bit easier.
… I just need to keep building muscle, getting stronger, and doing what’s necessary to avoid reinjury. We’ll see what the doctors say and go from there.”
Head coach Nick Sirianni said Tuesday that the team is taking a cautious approach with Graham, who has 76 ½ career sacks, including 3 ½ in 11 games this season.
“We’ll see how it goes and what happens,” Sirianni said. “I can’t give an answer right now, but we’ll evaluate things over the next two weeks.”
Though Graham’s playing time has decreased in recent seasons, he remains a productive pass rusher for Philadelphia.
In 12 seasons where he played at least 13 games, he notched five or more sacks in eight of them, including a career-best 11 in 2021.
A potential Graham return could bolster Philadelphia’s defense.
The Detroit native famously strip-sacked Tom Brady in the Eagles’ Super Bowl win over the Patriots seven years ago.
