It was not a surprise to defensive end Brandon Graham that he was put on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start the regular season.

Graham suffered an ACL injury in the Week 14 win in Dallas last season. By being placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start 2011, Graham will be sidelined for at least the first six weeks of the season. Once he is allowed to practice, however, Graham wants fans to know that he'll be ready.

"Right now, I'm about 90 percent and you know I've got six weeks left," Graham said. "I'll be ready after that."

The depth at the defensive end position has allowed Graham to gradually work his way back. The Eagles have told Graham that it's not so much about being ready for now, but being a factor over the long haul.

"With an injury that's usually the first thing they do, they try to rush you back because they need you at that time," Graham said. "Right now, we've got people that can contribute. This is good. They're giving me my time because they're going to need me in the long run, not right now."

Graham was the team's first-round pick at No. 13 overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. Before the season-ending injury, Graham had 19 tackles, three sacks and a pair of forced fumbles. He was named to Pro Football Focus' All-Rookie Team despite missing the final three regular season games.

Before he was drafted by the Eagles, Graham spent a lot of time with Jim Washburn, who at the time was the defensive line coach for the Titans. Washburn coveted Graham's pass rush ability and thought he would be a perfect fit in his scheme. Now, the two are paired together and Graham is itching to work with Washburn.

"I know coach is ready for me. We talk everyday about getting ready and tackling it one day at a time and that's what I've been doing, not worrying about the future too much," Graham said. "He is already yelling at me from afar. I can't wait to see it when I get close."

Hopefully, we'll get to see that in just six weeks time.

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