Jimmy Graham Injury: Saints TE ‘highly questionable’ next week
The New Orleans Saints are currently sitting at a disappointing 2-3 at the bye week thanks to some shoddy tackling, a mildly disappointing passing attack, and interior pass protection that could use some improvement. None of their problems are talent or coaching-related, and execution-related issues are the most fixable, especially for teams regarded as Super Bowl contenders. That said, the injury to star tight end Jimmy Graham, who could miss a couple of weeks with a sprained shoulder that he suffered last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, could push the Saints turn-around back a bit, as his impact on the team is immense.
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ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that, if the Saints weren’t on a bye week, Graham wouldn’t have been able to play today, and that gives you some context regarding the injury. More troubling is Schefter’s statement that Graham is “highly questionable” for next week’s game against the Detroit Lions, and he might be tentatively expected to miss that game. He is also questionable to play in the Week 8 game against the Green Bay Packers, but, of course, we have to take things one game at a time.
Jimmy Graham has been the best player on the Saints this season, and it isn’t even close. With 34 receptions for 376 yards and a touchdown despite having his stats capped by last week’s second-quarter injury, Graham has once again been one of the NFL’s most dangerous players; what he does as a pass-catcher is just ridiculous.