Eagles' Graham details pain he and Jeffery played through in Super Bowl

Martin Frank | The News Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption Eagles' Malcolm Jenkins uses signs, not words Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, asked repeatedly about the canceled White House visit, uses signs to point out social injustices.

PHILADELPHIA – When the Eagles faced the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4, it was perhaps the best-kept secret that defensive end Brandon Graham could barely walk and that wide receiver Alshon Jeffery could barely lift his arms over his head.

And yet, the two Eagles players made some of the biggest plays in that game in the Eagles' 41-33 victory, giving the franchise its first Super Bowl victory.

Graham sacked Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and forced the fumble that rookie Derek Barnett recovered in the final minutes with the Eagles leading by five points. He revealed just how tough it was Thursday, his first time talking to the media since he had ankle surgery on May 16.

Graham said he originally suffered a high-ankle sprain against the Oakland Raiders on Dec. 25.

"I needed six weeks (to heal) instead of three, but I had to do what I had to do," Graham said. "It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, playing in the playoffs and trying to make a run with the team that we had. All I did was kind of grind it out. I ended up paying for it, but not paying for it where I’m going to miss time during the season. It’s just something I have to deal with and overcome."

Graham didn't play in the Eagles' season finale on Dec. 31 against Dallas, a meaningless game in which several starters rested. The Eagles had a bye for the first round of the playoffs. He played against the Atlanta Falcons, then the Minnesota Vikings the week after, and two weeks later in the Super Bowl.

Through it all, Jeffery was dealing with a torn rotator cuff that he suffered during the summer. In the Super Bowl, Jeffery made an over-the-shoulder catch that went for a 34-yard touchdown late in the first quarter that gave the Eagles a 9-3 lead. He finished with three catches for 73 yards.

Shortly thereafter, Jeffery had shoulder surgery. He has not taken part in the Eagles' organized team activities these past three weeks. It's not known if he will be ready for the start of training camp in late July.

But Graham said what Jeffery dealt with all throughout the season inspired him to keep playing on what he called a "significant" high ankle sprain.

"I felt good because a lot of guys saw the opportunity that we had, and they pushed through, and I know they were hurting," Graham said. "Alshon and the rotator cuff, man. Woo. That had to hurt, every time you throw your hands up. Some of the catches that he made in that game, you couldn’t tell that he was dealing with what he was dealing with.

"It just shows the attitude of our team. Everybody persevered through because they seen the opportunity that we had. We had to maximize and capitalize on it."

Unlike Jeffery, Graham said he waited several months before having surgery because the doctors want to see if the ankle would heal on its own. He was given a deadline date for the surgery. Graham said the ankle wasn't fully healed by then.

He said he's getting the cast off next week, and hopes to be ready for the start of training camp, but couldn't guarantee that. He does expect to be ready for the start of the season.

"They just had to go in and clean it out," Graham said. "It was just some stuff that they needed to tighten up, and they told me that it was probably going to take three months. Hopefully by camp, I’ll be up and running."

But the Eagles have been without two starters on the defensive line in Graham and tackle Tim Jernigan, who had back surgery, for the spring workouts. Jernigan might not be ready for the start of training camp, let alone the season.

Graham is also entering the final season of his contract, which he's guaranteed $7 million this season. He was hoping to get a long-term extension during the offseason. But that might have to wait now that he's 30 years old and coming off ankle surgery.

Still, Graham is entering his ninth season with the Eagles, and he's coming off a career-high 9.5 sacks. And now it's evident just how great a season it was, considering his injury throughout the playoffs.

"You know I can’t talk about a contract right now," he said with a laugh. "But I’m just excited because I’ve got another year to play here. You know, it’s year nine for me. I got another opportunity to get this ring. I’ll let stuff happen the way it’s supposed to happen."

Notes

The Eagles wrapped up their third and final week of OTAs with some notable absences in offensive linemen Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson, defensive lineman Fletcher Cox and linebacker Nigel Bradham. Also, cornerback Sidney Jones sat out. Defensive end Michael Bennett and running back Darren Sproles have skipped all three weeks of the OTA practices, which are voluntary. The Eagles will hold a three-day mandatory minicamp beginning Tuesday. Players can be fined for skipping those ... Carson Wentz once again threw about three passes during the 7-on-7 drills. One of them was a deep ball that sailed over the arms of wide receiver Greg Ward. Ward landed on the ground and stayed down for a few minutes with what appeared to be a neck or back injury. He got up and left practice.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.

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