Eagles snap counts: Brandon Graham keeps producing
He’s 37 and was retired at the start of the 2025 season, but Brandon Graham produced again in the Eagles’ division-clinching win in Washington on Saturday.
Graham played just nine snaps in the 29-18 win but had his third sack in two games. Graham has now gotten a sack three times in the last two games on just 16 snaps. His three sacks have actually come in the span of nine defensive snaps.
Graham this season is the only player in the NFL with 3 sacks in fewer than 100 snaps.
And all three of his sacks have come playing defensive tackle as the Eagles wait for the return of Jalen Carter.
“Trying to fill that void, at least be half of what JC would be in the middle,” Graham said. “Just trying to do my job and let the plays come to me. The last four weeks have been good. Training camp, like I say. But now these last couple weeks, I feel like I’m getting in my flow. I’m just excited to just keep pushing.”
Of Graham’s 16 snaps over the last two weeks, 13 have come on third downs and the Eagles have had huge success when he’s on the field. Here’s a recap of his 16 snaps the last two weeks:
• Three resulted in sacks for Graham
• Two resulted in interceptions — one for Zack Baun, one for Cooper DeJean
• One resulted in a sack for Nolan Smith
• Six have been incompletions
• Three have been runs for a total of 9 yards
• One was a completion for 20 yards
While the Eagles are playing Graham on third downs, good things are happening when he’s on the field. Even when Carter comes back, it would make sense to keep giving Graham occasional looks inside on passing downs. He’s playing well.
Other defensive notes
• Nakobe Dean lasted just 13 snaps before leaving the game with a hamstring injury. Jihaad Campbell filled in and played 36. That’s the most the rookie has played on defense since Week 7 against the Vikings. Campbell began the season as a starter but Dean returned from the PUP list against the Vikings and has been playing really well. But Campbell is a heck of an option to have as a backup.
• The Eagles played 54 total defensive snaps and got a chance to empty the bench late. Zack Baun, Reed Blankenship and Quinyon Mitchell played 49 of 54 snaps (91%), while Cooper DeJean and Marcus Epps played 48 of 54 (89%).
• Without Jalen Carter, here’s how the DT rotation looked in this game: Moro Ojomo — 43 snaps (80%), Jordan Davis — 33 snaps (61%), Byron Young — 26 snaps (48%), Ty Robinson — 6 snaps (11%). Graham also played nine snaps with most of them coming inside.
• On the edge: Nolan Smith — 40 snaps (74%), Jaelan Phillips — 38 snaps (70%), Jalyx Hunt — 30 snaps (56%).
• The Eagles emptied the bench a the end and got snaps for Michael Carter II, Sydney Brown, Kelee Ringo, Jeremiah Trotter, Brandon Johnson, Jakorian Bennett and Smael Mondon.
Offensive notes
• The Eagles’ offense also got to rest their starters at the end of this game too. The only two players to play all 70 offensive snaps were Jordan Mailata and Fred Johnson. Jalen Hurts and the rest of the starting OL played 66 of 70 snaps (94%).
• At running back: Saquon Barkley — 54 snaps (77%), Tank Bigsby — 8 snaps (11%), Will Shipley — 8 snaps (11%). Barkley had 132 yards and a touchdown on 21 attempts. Bigsby had 4 for 37, including a 22-yard touchdown run.
• At tight end: Dallas Goedert — 61 snaps (87%), Grant Calcaterra — 21 snaps (30%), Kylen Granson — 8 snaps (11%), E.J. Jenkins — 6 snaps (9%). Goedert caught his 10th touchdown pass of the season, tying a franchise record for tight ends set by Pete Retzlaff in 1965.
• At receiver: A.J. Brown 61 snaps (87%), Devonta Smith — 60 snaps (86%), Jahan Dotson — 46 snaps (66%), Darius Cooper — 13 snaps (19%), Britain Covey — 1 snap. Brown had 9 for 95 and Smith had 6 for 42 and a touchdown.
• For the second straight week, the backups got in and Tanner McKee got to end the game in victory formation.
