Saints Sean Peyton on TE Jimmy Graham:
“There was no decision to keep him playing. Basically, an hour before the game we turn in our inactives. We had an additional spot with Sedrick (Ellis’) hamstring. We thought Sedrick was going to be able to play, and then during pregame it was aggravated and it didn’t feel strong enough where he or the doctors or ourselves felt like he was going to play and play well on it. With that additional spot, we just discussed a few different options and ended up going the tight end route with (Michael) Higgins. That was just coincidence. Ten minutes later, Jimmy irritated his back during warm-ups and came in and got treatment. It was really just a rush to get him to where it was calmed down enough to where he could function. Fortunately, the doctors and trainers were able to do that. I think early on in that first quarter, you could see it wasn’t one hundred percent and then gradually as the game went on he felt more and more comfortable. Today he’s getting treatment and really that’s it. But it was one of those and anybody that’s had back pains or occasionally stepped the wrong way, I would equate it to that. We were lucky that he was able to bounce back.”
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