But the biggest storyline for Brohm’s team isn’t what happened on the field Saturday but who wasn’t there and who won’t be there when Purdue plays at Syracuse next week.
The top defensive playmaker – Jalen Graham, a rare talent who can play at all three levels and effectively against the run and the pass – is sidelined. Maybe up to four weeks with an tibia impact fracture suffered against the Nittany Lions. He finished that game and even tried to practice during the week.
It wasn’t until Thursday morning that Brohm was told about the significance of the injury.
“To his credit, he tried to practice, most of us probably wouldn’t,” Brohm said. “I didn’t know how severe it was until it was looked at later in the week.”
He couldn’t make it to the field Saturday. If Graham could’ve played, you would’ve seen No. 6. Graham oozes toughness but he couldn’t overcome this injury.
The one player on the defense the Boilermakers couldn’t afford to lose was Graham. He’s a lock for the NFL Draft with his length and ability to make plays from sideline to sideline. Scouts were interested during preseason practices, specifically traveling to West Lafayette to watch Graham along with O’Connell. He will be missed now that Purdue faces stiffer competition the rest of the season.
Syracuse followed by Florida Atlantic and back to Big Ten play against Minnesota. Maybe Graham returns to face pass-happy and uber-talented Maryland in early October.
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The top defensive playmaker – Jalen Graham, a rare talent who can play at all three levels and effectively against the run and the pass – is sidelined. Maybe up to four weeks with an tibia impact fracture suffered against the Nittany Lions. He finished that game and even tried to practice during the week.
It wasn’t until Thursday morning that Brohm was told about the significance of the injury.
“To his credit, he tried to practice, most of us probably wouldn’t,” Brohm said. “I didn’t know how severe it was until it was looked at later in the week.”
He couldn’t make it to the field Saturday. If Graham could’ve played, you would’ve seen No. 6. Graham oozes toughness but he couldn’t overcome this injury.
The one player on the defense the Boilermakers couldn’t afford to lose was Graham. He’s a lock for the NFL Draft with his length and ability to make plays from sideline to sideline. Scouts were interested during preseason practices, specifically traveling to West Lafayette to watch Graham along with O’Connell. He will be missed now that Purdue faces stiffer competition the rest of the season.
Syracuse followed by Florida Atlantic and back to Big Ten play against Minnesota. Maybe Graham returns to face pass-happy and uber-talented Maryland in early October.
Overcoming Jalen Graham's injury next big hurdle for Purdue football
As Purdue returns to playing better competition, it must deal with the loss of star defender Jalen Graham
