Brandon Graham is eager to play in the Eagles’ regular season finale against the Commanders. Despite head coach Nick Sirianni resting many starters, Graham, at 37 and in his 16th NFL season, expects to be on the field.
Graham expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity, emphasizing the importance of preparation and seizing chances to showcase talent. “Anytime you get an opportunity to go out there and play, especially because we’re trying to win too, it’s like any other week,” he said.
After initially retiring following the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory last season, Graham returned midseason and contributed in 8 games. In those appearances, he recorded 3 sacks over 85 total snaps, demonstrating efficiency despite limited playtime.
He holds the franchise record for both seasons and games played. Sunday’s game will mark his 215th regular season appearance. Currently, Graham has 79.5 career sacks, ranking third in Eagles history behind Reggie White (124.0) and Trent Cole (85.5).
A sack in the finale could elevate Graham to become only the third Eagle to reach 80 career sacks. His longevity and impact underline his standing as a cornerstone of the franchise.
Graham also embraces his leadership responsibilities with younger teammates. He stressed communication and decisiveness on the field as keys for team success. “I look at it like they’re the main characters and I’m just the supporting staff out there, just trying to support and be there for the guys,” he explained.
The Eagles ruled out six players on the final injury report and will rest several starters despite holding a stake in playoff seeding. A win coupled with a Bears loss would improve the Eagles’ seed from third to second in the NFC.
With starters sidelined, Graham views the game as an important development opportunity for less experienced players. He advised them to rely on diligent preparation and confidence built in practice, highlighting that mistakes should be made and corrected before game day.
“There’s going to be a lot of people supporting them that are ahead of them,” Graham said about the younger players. He looks forward to seeing their development reflected on the field during this crucial contest.
Read more at: www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com
