The Eagles on Saturday made the move to activate 2010 No. 1 draft pick Brandon Graham, moving him from the Physically Unable to Perform list to the 53-man roster. He is eligible, then, to play on Monday night against the Bears.
To make room on the active roster, the Eagles released offensive guard Kyle DeVan, who was added to the roster when the Eagles claimed him off of waivers prior to the regular-season opener. DeVan, a third-year player in the league, started four of the five games he played.
For Graham, the return to the roster comes at a great time. With left end Juqua Parker listed as doubtful with a sprained ankle, Graham could see significant playing time on Monday night.
"I'm excited, and let's see what happens," said Graham. "I've worked extremely hard to get back to this point. I'm ready to play. I want to play. It hasn't been easy at all watching my teammates out there doing their thing. I'm here to help."
The Eagles traded up in the 2010 draft to select Graham 13th overall in the first round. He played in 13 games with 6 starts and registered 3 quarterback sacks before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament on December 12 in the win at Dallas.
Now, 11 months later Graham is back and hopes to bring energy and a hard pass rush off the edge for Jim Washburn's defensive line.
"That's the name of the game for me. I'm about speed and getting off the ball," said Graham. "Coach is working with me and I think I've improved a lot. Now it's time to see how it goes in a game situation."
DeVan was acquired off of waivers as the Eagles searched for a solution at right guard prior to the regular season. DeVan had experience with offensive line coach Howard Mudd in Indianapolis and did a good job in a stop-gap situation here.
The Eagles are flush with healthy offensive linemen, making DeVan expendable. Meanwhile, Graham is one step closer to putting a nasty injury in the rear-view mirror and resuming his promising NFL career.
