Jimmy Graham Injury: Playing time depends on how shoulder feels
New Orleans Saints star tight end Jimmy Graham always intended on playing in today’s big game against the Detroit Lions, as it’s at a critical point of the season for the Saints. They are coming off of a bye week after a disappointing start to the season and have an opportunity to make a big statement win against the Lions that would allow them to bounce back. As the second-most important player on the team, Graham is a huge key to the team’s success, so the fact that he is going to tough it out on a shoulder injury he suffered before the bye gives the Saints offense a huge boost.
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Graham has always been expected to have limited snaps today against the Lions, though he had also largely been expected to play. FOX Sports’s Jay Glazer reports that Graham’s snaps today will depend on how his shoulder feels during the game, and Glazer has tentatively set the mark at around 30 snaps, which is more than enough for an elite player like Graham to make an impact, especially since he’s a monstrous red zone threat.
As expected, Glazer reports that Graham stated there are “certain packages” the Saints have in mind for him, but how often he is utilized will, of course, depend on the health of his shoulder and the pain he’s forced to play through. Graham is still a strong threat to put the ball in the end zone for six, and it will be interesting to see which packages the Saints have in mind for him.