Brandon Grahams long wait is almost over. His short wait may be about to begin.
Head coach Andy Reid said Monday that defensive end Brandon Graham, the Eagles first-round pick last year, will return to practice next week, when the Eages reconvene at the NovaCare Complex after their bye week.
I'm excited to get back out there next week after the bye, Graham tweeted Monday afternoon. It's time for us to go on this streak one game at a time!!
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But Reid wouldnt guarantee that Graham will be activated immediately and play against the Cowboys, the first game hell be eligible for.
Graham hasnt played or practiced since he tore his ACL during the Eagles win over the Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 12. He underwent microfracture surgery nine days later and has been on the Reserve-Physically Unable to Perform list since training camp started.
Under NFL rules, players on PUP are allowed to begin participating in practice starting immediately after their teams sixth game. The team then has three weeks to either activate the player or place him on Injured Reserve, ending his season.
Grahams first practice will likely be Monday, Oct. 24. The Eagles next game is Oct. 30 against the Cowboys at the Linc.
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Ill be back for that Dallas game, Graham said a couple weeks ago. Im not missing that game.
Actually, he might miss it. Theres a good chance Graham wont play immediately. The Eagles generally prefer that returning injured players practice for a couple weeks before returning to action.
Listen, hes coming off major surgery, so you want to bring him back in and let him get back into football here, and that normally takes a little bit of time, Reid said. You have to be realistic about it and then go from there.
The Eagles first three games after the bye are at home -- the Cowboys, then the Bears Nov. 7 and the Cards Nov. 13.
I would be playing right now, if I werent listed on the PUP list, Graham said. I know how the rules go, and we're going to talk it over with the training staff and see what they want me to do when I get off the list.
Graham was at the NovaCare Complex Monday rehabbing but declined an interview request, saying hed rather wait until after he practices to talk.
Graham got hurt on a play where he got great penetration and knocked down a Jon Kitna pass on a 2nd-and-7 near midfield late in the fourth quarter of a game the Eagles won 30-27.
Graham, the 13th pick in last years draft, recorded three sacks in 12 games as a rookie.
I can tell you, his last play was his best play, Reid said. It was a phenomenal move on his last play when he hurt his knee. So were looking for him just to get back in the swing and get in that groove of playing football.
Once the Eagles do decide to activate Graham, theyll have to find room for him on the roster, and they could do that by releasing defensive end Phillip Hunt or safety Jarrad Page.
Graham, 23, has maintained a consistently positive demeanor since the day after his injury.
Hes worked so hard, and you cant help but be pulling for him, Reid said. He spent so much time rehabbing and getting out there running around and doing the things that he does coming off tough surgery. Well see how he does.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com.