Brandon Graham will be returning to the Philadelphia Eagles’ lineup on the NFL’s biggest stage.
The team activated the 36-year-old former Michigan defensive end from injured reserve on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans.
Graham, Philadelphia’s franchise leader in games played, suffered a torn triceps muscle in Week 12 which threatened to end his season and his career. But the 2010 first-round pick has been trending in the right direction since the Eagles pummeled the Washington Commanders 55-23 in the NFC Championship.
Graham was listed as questionable on the team’s final injury report but was a full practice participant on Friday, indicating he would be ready to go Sunday.
He was confident earlier in the week he would be activated for the Super Bowl, which could be the final game of his career. The Detroit native said before the season that 2024 would be his last.
“I’m feeling good,” Graham said Monday at the NFL’s opening night. “I’m excited to be able to play in this game. Just enjoying the moment.”
Although his usage has declined in recent years, the veteran remains a valuable piece of the Eagles’ defense, both on and off the field. The sixth-year captain has played 46% of defensive snaps in 2024, registering 20 tackles and 3 ½ sacks. In 206 career games, Graham has 76 ½ sacks, including a career-high 11 in 2022.
He is one of four Eagles remaining from the team’s last Super Bowl victory in 2018, when Graham’s strip-sack of Tom Brady helped ice a 41-33 victory over the Patriots
