With just nine sacks this season, Philadelphia's defensive line struggles could prompt franchise icon to end his brief retirement.
MINNEAPOLIS — One man’s retirement is another man’s opportunity.
Or is it one man’s retirement is never a sure thing?
Either way, it both applies to Brandon Graham, who reportedly is contemplating a return for a 16th season with the Eagles.
The news was attributed to league sources and reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The possibility of Graham’s return was set in motion Monday when veteran Za’Darius Smith decided to retire after playing just five games with the Eagles. That left an already struggling and shorthanded edge-rushing rotation in even worse condition for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
The Eagles’ four-man rotation currently consists of Jalyx Hunt, Azeez Ojulari, Josh Uche and Patrick Johnson. Those four have combined for just one sack this season. The Eagles have nine sacks as a team, which is tied for 25th in the league.
Nolan Smith, the Eagles’ top edge rusher, has been out since Week 4 with a triceps injury, but he is eligible to return this week from injured reserve. Za’Darius Smith had 1 1/2 sacks before retiring.
Graham played 11 games for the Eagles and had 3 1/2 sacks last season for the Eagles, but he suffered what was thought to be a season-ending triceps injury in Week 12 against the Rams.
Thanks to an accelerated rehab, Graham was able to return and played 13 defensive snaps in the Eagles’ Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Six weeks later, he tearfully retired in front of his family and friends at the Eagles’ practice facility. It was later revealed that he tore his triceps again in the Super Bowl, but now he might be ready to return to the game we all thought he left behind seven months ago.
Graham’s 206 career games played are a team record. His 126 tackles for a loss are a franchise record and his 76 1/2 sacks rank third all-time. He also is one of four Eagles to win two Super Bowls. The other three are Lane Johnson, Rick Lovato and Jake Elliott.
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Category: General Sports
