Saints TE Jimmy Graham looking to 'capitalize' after standout preseason performance vs. Texans

It's not often a 36-year-old with a dozen NFL seasons under his belt is playing important minutes in the final preseason game of the year. But Jimmy Graham's quest to find a roster spot in New Orleans isn't your average reunion.

Graham missed the Saints' second preseason game after what the club defined as a "medical episode" likely involving a seizure in Los Angeles. That missed time made Sunday's reps against the Houston Texans vital in Graham's quest to make the roster.

The longtime veteran, who didn't play in 2022, shined, snagging three passes on four targets for 34 yards and a touchdown. Those grabs included a nice 25-yard back-shoulder grab and a 3-yard TD from Jameis Winston, in which Graham posted up a defender in the end zone. Those two plays highlight what Graham can bring to the Saints offense if he makes the 53-man roster: Contested catches and red zone acumen.

"Yeah, I think that was one of the things that -- we've said this," head coach Dennis Allen said when asked about Graham, per the official transcript. "We'd like to see it every day from these guys, particularly veteran players, but at some point, we have to see it. We saw it tonight."

Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill are all locked into roster spots at tight end. Graham is battling for the fourth TE gig along with Jesse James (dealing with injury), J.P. Holtz and Lucas Krull.

Sunday, Graham stated his case for the gig.

"Really, probably since the Chargers practices, I started to see some signs of the mental picture I have of Jimmy Graham," Allen said. "Again, I saw it this week in practice, and I saw it carry over into the game. That's a positive."

Graham spent his first five seasons with the Saints before three in Seattle, two in Green Bay and