Michigan alum update: Brandon Graham, Maurice Hurst invaded backfields

Brandon Graham sort of epitomizes the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018.

A year ago, the Eagles took the Lombardi Trophy to the City of Brotherly Love for the first time. At the same time, Graham had his best professional season, racking up 9.5 sacks, including a critical fourth quarter strip-sack of Tom Brady.

This fall has been a struggle for him and 4-5 Philly. Coming into Sunday night’s home tilt against the rival Cowboys, the 9-year vet had compiled just 1.5 sacks through eight games. He has been working his way back from ankle surgery conducted this past spring.

Well, one thing changed at Lincoln Financial Stadium this weekend. While the Eagles dropped a 27-20 decision to go under .500, Graham tallied 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits and five tackles.

He now has three sacks to go with 27 total stops on the season.

On the other coast, rookie Maurice Hurst continues to be a lone bright spot for the Oakland Raiders.

The former fifth-round pick sliced his way into the backfield for four tackles and a sack in Oakland’s 20-6 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Hurst rotates inside, but still has managed 21 tackles to go with his three quarterback takedowns. He also has chipped in three pass deflections.

Pretty good draft value, it seems.

While not as productive, Seattle’s Frank Clark added a half-sack in a 36-31 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. In his fourth season, he now has 30 career sacks, as well as eight in 2018.

This keeps him tied for eighth in the league. He’s added 17 stops and three forced fumbles on the year.

OTHER NOTES

• Tom Brady and the Patriots ran into the brick wall that was Mike Vrabel’s Tennessee Titans Sunday.

Vrabel, a former Patriot, dialed up the heat to sack Brady three times. The former Wolverine quarterback connected on just 21-of-41 passes for 254 yards and no scores.

This was New England’s first loss since a 26-10 humiliation to the Detroit Lions in September. Weirdly enough, that was also to a former Patriot in Detroit head coach Matt Patricia.

• Jabrill Peppers was his typical versatile self in Cleveland’s 28-16 victory over the Falcons.

He made five tackles, while contributing two kick returns for 41 yards and a punt for six.

• Devin Funchess snared three more balls for 32 yards in a 52-21 Thursday night loss to the Steelers.

He remains Cam Newton’s top target, collecting 39 catches for 477 yards and three touchdowns, so far.

• Dallas Cowboy nickelback Jourdan Lewis tacked on a tackle for loss against the Eagles. After a productive rookie debut, he has seen the field sparingly this fall, totaling just four tackles and two fumble recoveries.
• For injured players, offensive linemen, or those on practice squads, here are previous updates.