Eagles' Graham returns to practice

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When it first happened, when he first tore up his knee, Brandon Graham figured hed be back by the start of training camp.

I was hoping six months, just an ACL tear, he said. Thats about it. I was hoping I wouldnt miss any games.

Ten months later, Graham is still on the sidelines. Still waiting to play.

Graham, the Eagles first-round pick last year, practiced Monday for the first time since he tore his right ACL during an Eagles-Cowboys game last Dec. 12. He underwent microfracture surgery a week later and has been rehabbing ever since.

Everything happens for a reason, so now I just have to make sure I get up to speed and get ready to produce, Graham said. Im feeling good. No soreness, no nothing. I feel regular. Only thing is my feet hurt just from not using them in a little bit, but thats about it. I feel good.

Its been hard because you want to be a part of those wins and losses and be a part of the team, and I havent felt like that because I havent been able to be out there and help. It felt good just being able to come back from a year, man, because its hard. Especially if you havent been playing for a year, so I know I really need to get into game shape. Thats the biggest thing.

Graham said he got 12 reps with the first team defense Monday, as the Eagles held a brief, hour-long 10-10-10 practice following seven days off for the bye week. Hell get his first true test at a full practice on Wednesday.

It felt good because everybody was announcing, Oh, we got 54 back, just making jokes, Graham said. I feel a lot better than I expected. I was a little bit nervous going out there because I hadnt played in a year. So I was kind of timid a little bit at first. But then I was like, Oh, it ain't nothing wrong with me, lets go. All I really got to do is get in shape right now.

Practice was closed to the media, but Graham said Jason Babin and Juqua Parker took the initial reps with the starting defense and then he and Trent Cole worked in as well. Graham said he took reps on both sides.

Cole practiced for the first time since missing two games with a high ankle sprain. He didnt talk to reporters after practice.

I feel good, Graham said. I know that Im going to have to get my wind up a little bit, and as I play in the game, thatll get better. Right now, Im just focusing on what I know I need to do, and thats getting off the ball. Everything else will come later.

When it was obvious in July that Graham wouldnt be ready to practice at training camp and was not going to be able to play early in the season, the Eagles placed him on the Reserve-Physically Unable to Perform list.

While on PUP, Graham has been unable to practice and doesnt count against the 53-man roster. According to NFL rules, players on PUP can practice starting immediately after their teams sixth game while still not counting against the 53.

At any point during those three weeks, they can be either activated or placed on Injured Reserve. At the end of the three weeks, if the player is still on PUP, he has to either be activated or placed on IR, ending his season.

In some casesCorrell Buckhalter in 2005, for examplethe team allows a player to practice, even though he has no chance to return. But in this case, the Eagles are planning to activate Graham, most likely before the end of the three-week period.

Graham said hopes to play Sunday against the Cowboys at the Linc but said he has no idea what the coaches are thinking.

We havent even gotten that far, he said. Were just taking it one day at a time, you know? I know theyre going to evaluate me during the week, so I know all eyes on me for right now. Im going to give them everything Ive got.

Hopefully, I can get out there this week. Im going to push myself, do extra like I just did with coach Jim Washburn, and hopefully itll get me up to speed real quick.

Graham, who had three sacks in 12 games last year, said he flashed back Monday to that game last December at Cowboys Stadium, when he tore up his knee while batting down a Jon Kitna pass.

I just go back to the day I got hurt, he said. I was like, Man, its going to be a long road, but I cant wait till the day. And look what today isthe sun is shining, feeling good, the breeze out there is good. Im feeling good.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com

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