Packers tight end Jimmy Graham is officially active for Green Bay's Week 3 home game against the Denver Broncos, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The #Packers have TE Jimmy Graham (groin) active after a mid-week scare. The #Colts have RB Marlon Mack (calf) and WR TY Hilton (quad) active. #Chiefs RB LeSean McCoy (ankle) is active. #Eagles WR Alshon Jeffery (calf) is out. #Lions OT Taylor Decker and LB Jarrad Davis are up.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 22, 2019
Graham suffered a groin injury in the Packers' 21-16 Week 2 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Green Bay then placed the veteran tight end on the injury report during the lead-up to the Week 3. He was limited in practice all week; coach Matt LaFleur insisted that he “looked good” to end the week, per Rapoport.
Green Bay took a precaution by promoted tight end Evan Baylis from the practice squad when Graham's status for the game was unknown.
“He fought through it on Sunday. He was hurting a little bit,” said LaFleur on Friday, via Jason Wilde of For The State Journal. “That's the nature of the game. He's a tough guy, so I think in the long run he'll be alright.”
Graham, while dealing with the groin injury, was quiet last Sunday; so quiet that he received one target that he didn't reel in. However, in the game before, a 10-3 season-opening win over the Chicago Bears, Graham caught the team's only touchdown, in addition tallying three receptions on five targets for 30 yards.
Graham has yet to turn into a focal point in the Packers offense after signing his three-year, $30 million deal in the 2018 offseason. While he's more of a tertiary option for Aaron Rodgers, his availability on Sunday will undoubtedly help open up the Packers offense against Vic Fangio's well-coached defense. If he's 100% healthy, Graham may get back to receiving more than one target.
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