That “sense of optimism” about tight end Jimmy Graham inevitably has faded.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that the Saints are now pessimistic about Graham playing on Sunday against the Bills.
Graham injured his foot two weeks ago against the Patriots. The next day, it was easy for those of us who chase such things to determine that Graham would have an MRI. It then became difficult if not impossible to find out what the MRI revealed.
The next day, Chris Mortensen of ESPN played the “sense of optimism” card regarding Graham’s post-bye availability, and we were instantly skeptical.
Jay Glazer of FOX reports that Graham has a partially torn plantar fascia, and that he’ll get relief only if/when it fully tears. Officially, Graham is questionable. If he can’t go, veteran Ben Watson will become the proverbial next man up. But Watson has no sense of optimism that he’ll do what Graham does.
“We can’t be Jimmy. We’re not Jimmy,” Watson said of himself and the rest of the team’s pass catchers.
The situation could give the Bills a sense of optimism that they could be able to pull off a road upset for the second straight week.