Jimmy Graham Injury: Updates on Seahawks TE's Recovery from Knee Surgery

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist

Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham stretches on the field before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Roger Steinman/Associated Press

After what was a disappointing first year for tight end Jimmy Graham in Seattle, the Seahawks will be closely monitoring his recovery from season-ending knee surgery ahead of the 2016 campaign.

Continue for updates.

Latest on Graham's Recovery

Wednesday, March 9

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Graham's "rehab is going well" and he's expected to be ready for Week 1.

Carroll Comments on Graham's Recovery

Thursday, Feb. 25

Head coach Pete Carroll told reporters Graham's rehab is ahead of schedule and added the injury "does shoot them right into the start of camp." Carroll added the team won't rush him back into practice, though.

Schneider Comments on Graham's Status

Wednesday, Feb. 24

At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Wednesday, Seahawks general manager John Schneider said Graham has a "great attitude" about his injury rehab and that his recovery is going according to plan, per Stephen Cohen of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Schneider couldn't provide any updates, however, as to when Graham might be at 100 percent again.

Injury Capped Off Disappointing 2015 for Graham

A number of NFL fans and writers thought Graham was the missing piece necessary to turn Seattle into a true juggernaut. Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman argued at the time an unbeaten season was attainable for the reigning NFC champions.

In 11 games, Graham only managed to catch 11 passes for 605 yards and two touchdowns, well below his annual average of 88.7 receptions, 1,099 yards and 11.5 TDs in his final four seasons with the New Orleans Saints.

Just two games into the season, Freeman reported Graham was disgruntled with his role in the team's offense:

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Graham's numbers improved a bit the rest of the way, but then came his torn patellar tendon in Week 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Cohen reported Schneider still envisions Graham playing a major part for the Seahawks next year, which makes sense given the 29-year-old is set to earn base salaries of $8.9 million in 2016 and $7.9 million in 2017.

Graham has battled minor injuries for most of his NFL career, never making more than 13 starts in a season.

Given the serious nature of the tight end's knee injury, the Seahawks will want to take every precaution necessary that he is fully recovered before he is back on the field, whether it be in training camp or after the start of the regular season.