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Deebo Samuel Subtly Responds to Brandon Graham’s Criticism, Rekindling NFC East Tension

The rivalry between NFC East foes is alive and well—and this time, it’s Brandon Graham and Deebo Samuel fanning the flames.

It all began during DeVonta Smith’s celebrity softball game, where longtime Eagles defensive leader Brandon Graham took a playful—but pointed—jab at new Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel. While being interviewed, Graham didn’t hold back:

“He better stay in shape first… Don’t look too ready right now.”

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The crowd laughed, but the shot was unmistakable. Graham, known for his trash talk and big-game energy, delivered a veteran’s swipe at a player who’s only just landed in the division.

But Deebo didn’t clap back with words.

The Response: Silent, But Loud

Instead, Samuel responded in his own way: with action.

Shortly after the clip of Graham’s comments began making rounds on social media, a video surfaced of Deebo training intensely on a treadmill, flanked by rookie Xavier Legette. No captions. No hashtags. Just focus.

It wasn’t subtle by accident—it was deliberate.

Fans of the Commanders instantly took notice, praising Deebo for letting his work speak for itself. “This is how you respond to noise,” one fan wrote on X. “No talk, just grind.”

A Rivalry Renewed

Though Deebo Samuel is new to the NFC East, his presence adds another spark to a division already known for heated matchups and verbal battles. The Eagles and Commanders have long been rivals, but the recent player moves and rising expectations in D.C. are intensifying the stakes.

With Samuel joining the Commanders and the Eagles still viewed as the team to beat, every narrative twist matters—and Graham, never shy from stirring a pot, knows how to keep things spicy.

Commanders WR Deebo Samuel Trashed by Ex-Eagles Edge

The two teams won’t meet until later in the season, but the tone has already been set.

In a league where drama often spills off the field, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Graham just reminded everyone why NFC East games hit differently. The war of words may be quiet for now—but come game day, expect the tension to explode.

And based on the early exchanges, neither side is backing down.

Steelers Guard Suffers Serious Knee Injury in Practice, Likely Out for Week 3
Pittsburgh, PA — September 18, 2025 The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line took another hit on Wednesday when guard Max Scharping suffered a significant knee injury during practice, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The injury, feared to be serious, adds to the team’s mounting challenges as they prepare for a pivotal Week 3 matchup against the New England Patriots. Scharping, who was limited in practice before the injury, will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the damage. While it remains unclear whether this is a new injury or an aggravation of a prior issue, early reports suggest he will miss a substantial period, likely ruling him out for Sunday’s game. The Steelers, sitting at 1-1 after a 31-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, are already grappling with a struggling offensive line that has allowed seven sacks on quarterback Aaron Rodgers through two weeks. Scharping, a second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Northern Illinois, has yet to play in a game for Pittsburgh this season. As one of 10 offensive linemen on the roster, he has been a gameday inactive, serving as a versatile depth piece capable of playing multiple positions. The Steelers signed Scharping in October 2024 from the Washington Commanders’ practice squad after injuries decimated their offensive line. His ability to fill in at guard or tackle made him a valuable asset, though he primarily served as the ninth lineman and first-team inactive last season. Before joining Pittsburgh, Scharping started 33 games in the NFL, mostly with the Houston Texans from 2019 to 2021. When a new regime led by former Patriots executive Nick Caserio took over in Houston, Scharping was released after training camp in 2022. The Cincinnati Bengals claimed him off waivers, and he spent two seasons there before signing with the Philadelphia Eagles in June 2024, only to be cut before the final roster was set. The loss of Scharping exacerbates concerns about Pittsburgh’s offensive line, already criticized for its inconsistency. Players like Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu have struggled, while veteran Isaac Seumalo appears to be regressing. The unit’s woes have left Rodgers, the NFL’s most-sacked quarterback (578 career sacks), vulnerable, and the team’s run game, led by Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson, has been stifled. With injuries also plaguing the defense—linebacker Patrick Queen (ribs), Alex Highsmith (ankle), Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring), and DeShon Elliott (MCL sprain)—the Steelers are leaning on recent additions like linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley and safety Jabrill Peppers to bolster depth. Fans on X expressed frustration, with one post stating, “Another injury? This O-line is a disaster!” Head coach Mike Tomlin remained stoic, saying, “We adapt and move forward. No excuses.” As the Steelers face the Patriots, who ran for 122 yards in their Week 2 win, Scharping’s absence could force rookies like Zach Frazier to step up. With the AFC North race heating up, Pittsburgh must navigate this latest setback to keep their playoff hopes alive.