BG on the Mend

One of the interesting things that happens every offseason is that we find out about players getting treatment for injuries we didn’t know about or didn’t think were all that serious. Jimmy Bama recently broke a story about Derek Barnett having groin surgery.

Tonight we got news on Brandon Graham.

Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham recently had surgery on his right ankle and could miss spring workouts, according to sources. The procedure is to promote faster healing on a high ankle sprain suffered on Christmas night against the Raiders. He… https://t.co/idrpAbteKi

— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) May 15, 2018

Interesting. I don’t recall hearing about Graham having a banged up ankle.

Graham will miss time this spring, but it sounds like he will be fine in time for Training Camp. That’s important. Graham is a veteran and doesn’t need a ton of work, but TC is good for veterans. It gives them the chance to get in football shape so they’re ready for the grind of the season. OTAs aren’t as important, especially for D-linemen.

Let’s go back to Barnett for a second. From Jimmy’s piece (Pulitzer material for sure).

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett had sports hernia surgery shortly after the Birds’ season concluded, according to a source. Barnett joins a long list of Eagles players recovering from varying surgical procedures, including Carson Wentz, Jason Peters, Alshon Jeffery, Jordan Hicks, Timmy Jernigan, Darren Sproles, and Chris Maragos.

Or at least Barnett did join the list of the wounded. According to the source, the recovery period is only six weeks, and the procedure should make that area of his body stronger. Do the math, and Barnett should already be recovered.

Barnett should be ready for the OTAs. Since he is just a second-year player, even non-contact practices have value for him. Young players benefit from as many reps as possible. That’s especially true for Barnett, who is more football player than gifted athlete. He needs to master the subtleties of rushing the passer to be at his best.

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Roster Move: #Eagles have signed LB LaRoy Reynolds and waived S Dominick Sanders. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/xiHWy4t5wZ

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) May 15, 2018

Sanders must not have impressed over the weekend.

As for Reynolds…

Re: LaRoy Reynolds — This move was made with special teams in mind. That was an offseason priority. Reynolds, 27, is 6-1, 240. Has 4 career starts in 5 seasons. Averaged 17 ST snaps/game last year. Depth LB, but gives athleticism on STs. Will have to earn spot in among LB crowd

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) May 16, 2018

Bryan Braman is gone. Najee Goode is gone. Reynolds gives the team a veteran LB and STer to push for a roster spot and to fill their type of role.

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Back to the DE theme for a minute…

I'm not studying him, but Josh Sweat keeps flashing when I watch other guys on tape. The fact that PHI got him in the 4th is one of my favorite draft picks in 2018. pic.twitter.com/eQ1zRXbx7Q

— Brandon Thorn (@VeteranScout) May 15, 2018

Just too much for this RT pic.twitter.com/AwY8u7hBaN

— Brandon Thorn (@VeteranScout) May 15, 2018

While Barnett is more player than athlete, Sweat is the opposite. He is a gifted athlete. An explosive athlete. We’ll see if he can develop into a good NFL player.

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