One of the true OG's in Philadelphia Eagles franchise history returned to the gridiron in Week 10, as Brandon Graham took to the tundra at Lambeau Field in what would be a grueling 10-7 triumph over the Green Bay Packers that went the way of the visiting Birds.
Graham, who is third in all-time franchise sacks (76.5) and first in games played (277), registered 10 snaps on the evening. Lining up at defensive end in a three-point stance on a four-man front, as well as EDGE, he exhibited that there's gas left in the tank to burn.
After scratching his retirement plans and re-signing, the instrumental team leader ramped up in practice for two weeks. His season debut at Lambeau Field proved to be perfect timing, as it was the front seven who stole the show in a grind-it-out, actual game of inches affair.
The 16-year defensive stalwart and two-time Super Bowl Champion fired up the motor once again, knifing off the edge and into the backfield on a handful of pivotal plays.
How did Graham look in his return to the field for the Eagles?
On a crucial outside run down the stretch, Graham set the edge perfectly, barreling into the Green Bay backfield out wide to spin Josh Jacobs inside, where a flock of Birds defenders swallowed him up. A flash play for sure, but his positive presence delves far deeper.
While the snap count was relatively low, his impact was crystal clear. Graham's positive presence has always been two-fold: Philadelphia figures to benefit from key plays out of number 55 as part of their Edge unit, and they will undoubtedly enjoy the return of a passionate leader amongst such an athletic and dynamic, albeit young, defensive group.
Back when there were rumblings that Graham might return, teammate Nakobe Dean lauded the possibility, stating, "the energy BG brings is unparalleled."
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And now with a spirited captain officially back in the fold, the collective energy level amid countless gang tackles and key stops was on full display versus Green Bay.